Are Union crosswalks needed?

Mason County commissioners and Union residents agree that pedestrian safety improvements may be needed along state Route 106 in downtown Union by the Hood Canal Marina.

"Continued growth and pedestrian traffic within the community of Union warrants a look at safety improvement options and the installation of low-cost safety solutions. Suggested solutions from the community include: improved signage, a pedestrian actuated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon, and speed read-out signs," the commissioners wrote in an Aug. 27 letter to state Department of Transportation Olympic Region Administrator Steve Roark.

Union residents submitted a petition to the WSDOT requesting a crosswalk, Mason County Director of Public Works Loretta Swanson told the Journal in an email.

"Downtown Union, a designated section of Highway 106, located almost one half mile from the eastbound 'Entering Union' sign or about Mile Post 5 east to where the highway is met by McReavy Road is in desperate need of the following:" the petition states, and lists better engineered signs, a crosswalk with blinking lights and a speed-measuring device.

"Presently, the pedestrian sign is situated too late to warn eastbound motorists, who should be braking well beforehand because of the blind corner. In the next instant, pedestrians are crossing who cannot see eastbound traffic until it is upon them," according to the petition.

It also calls a designated crosswalk a necessity.

"A crosswalk, visible from each direction, would require crosswalk placement at the apex of the curve, which is about where the eastbound firetruck sign is now, or between the boat launch and Marina building. However, most pedestrians are crossing and may continue to cross a bit further east of that location, while patronizing the local businesses and occupying the Mason County parks boat launch, being blind to eastbound traffic and said traffic blind to them until it could be too late," the petition states.

It also calls summer congestion "untenable for pedestrians due to marina use and increased tourism traffic."

WSDOT collects data and makes in-person observations when determining the need for pedestrian safety improvements, Doug Adamson with WSDOT, told the Journal in an email.

The area study looks at the rate of speed vehicles are traveling, reviews collision history and traffic volumes, Adamson said.

"Once the data is finalized, we determine appropriate strategies. This could include a focus on speed management and/or enhancing pedestrian visibility," according to Adamson.

It's hard to say when Union could see pedestrian safety improvements because no strategies are finalized yet, he said.