IEC Position paper on

Issaquah Valley and Issaquah-Hobart Road

 

Issaquah Environmental Council has created this white paper to contribute to Issaquah’s future by presenting locally generated information for the community and decision-makers and providing advocacy for the position outlined below.

 

 

BACKGROUND

The Issaquah Valley along Issaquah-Hobart Road is wonderfully scenic and is also used for regional recreation purposes.  It connects to both Squak and Tiger Mountain trail systems.  An adjacent King County park provides facilities for paragliding.   The corridor is a key link to hiking trails, mountain and road bicycling routes. 

 

The Issaquah-Hobart Road corridor is a primary north-south link between the communities of Issaquah, Hobart, Maple Valley, Renton and Black Diamond.  It connects Issaquah to State Route 18 connecting to Snoqualmie, Renton, Auburn. 

 

The road also lies on top of the major recharge area of our Lower Issaquah Valley Aquifer, the primary source of drinking water in the Issaquah area.  It parallels Issaquah Creek and crosses most of the creek’s tributaries, which support native salmon runs and feed the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery and Lake Sammamish. 

 

 

Issues

 

A.   CONGESTION:  The narrow road, with a lack of shoulders and turn lanes, delays traffic significantly.  At the same time, the sensitivity of the valley wetlands and adjacent creeks make it a high impact and expensive road to widen.

 

B.   SAFETY:  The Issaquah-Hobart Road Corridor can be dangerous to the environment, wildlife, residents, and non-motorized users because of its high volume of traffic.

 

C.   PROTECTION:  The beauty and recreational resources along this valley road remain unprotected.

 

§  Motorists regularly exceed the speed limit and pass illegally; 

§  Recreationalists and spectators park on this road illegally and they cross traffic at high risk;

§  The congestion often impedes residents’ ability to turn out of their driveways safely;

§  Bicyclists and pedestrians often have no shoulder to travel on;

§  This road crosses a major wildlife corridor from Squak to Tiger Mountains through which deer, bear, cougar, bobcat, coyote and numerous smaller animals need to be able to cross safely; 

§  This corridor sits on top of the Lower Issaquah Valley Aquifer and parallels Issaquah Creek while crossing several tributaries.  It is vital that changes in this corridor maintain or enhance the valley’s contributions to surface and ground water.

 

 

Goal

 

Balance the values of a roadway and natural beauty throughout the Issaquah Valley by creating comprehensive strategies to decrease congestion and increase safety on Issaquah-Hobart Road and create a recognized community asset for recreation and pleasure.

 

 

PROPOSED SOLUTIONS

 

1. DECREASE CONGESTION AND INCREASE SAFETY:

  1. Traffic Calming and Safety—Provide off-road parking, bike lanes, turnouts, U turns and center turn lanes to facilitate smooth flow, and add strategic center median plantings for visual interest and speed reduction.  Reduce speed limits. 

 

  1. Transit--Create transit service between SR-18 and I-90 with Sound Transit.  Add Park & Ride lot at SR-18 and possibly Mirrormont.

 

  1. Traffic Alternatives—Create and lobby for a series of common sense changes to the current traffic flows.  (Ex.  Improve SR 18 to I-90, support widening of Newport, ensure that all improvements possible from Integrated Transportation Systems-ITS-are made available.)

 

2. RECOGNIZE AND PROTECT COMMUNITY ASSET:

a.    Public Protection and Recognition—Seek official designations for the large variety of assets in the Issaquah Valley--from creeks, to views, to recreational facilities, to the residents that live there both human and animal. 

§  Some possibilities include, Scenic Byway, Wildlife Corridor, Issaquah Creek Watershed, Issaquah Valley Greenway, Mountains to Sound Greenway.

 

b.    Land Use Policies—Ensure that land use policies protect the Issaquah Valley in the long term.  Emphasize preserving scenic values and preventing significant commercial development.

§  Lobby King County and municipalities in the Issaquah-Hobart Road corridor (particularly those south of Hwy 18) to change land use policies aimed at limiting residential and commercial development which would have direct impact on increasing traffic on Issaquah-Hobart Road.

 

c.    Access—Provide multiple forms of access so all can enjoy the valley safely.

§  Provide pull-offs and parking areas along--but off of--the road for scenic views (with interpretive signs) and for foot and bike trail access.

 

d.    Partnerships—Work with a variety of organizations and people to create an official identity and strategy for the Issaquah Valley. 

§  Stakeholders include local residents and municipalities, recreational groups, major employers, and environmental groups.

 

 

Posted: 05/28/09

 

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