Simpson must be slowed, residents say

CHENEY – The Cheney Public Works department will begin traffic count studies along Simpson Parkway and other busy streets to see if repainting the lines on the roads will be a feasible option to slow down speeders.

In addition, the Cheney Police Department will begin a traffic emphasis program to emphasize that the speed limit is 25 mphour.

These decisions were made during a meeting of residents who live along Simpson Parkway, and city police and public works officials. The residents have been complaining for a couple of years about the speeding problems in the neighborhood, and the meeting was their chance to voice their concerns.

“They bring it,” said Chris Hauer, one of the residents. “I mean, they go through gears.”

The speeders in the area became so frustrating for resident Karen Haight, she decided to take matters into her own hands and paint “25” on the road.

She was arrested for her efforts.

A few months ago, Haight’s husband, Steve, approached the City Council during the citizen comments phase of the meeting. In response, the Cheney Police Department conducted a survey of the drivers on Simpson Parkway. Between July 25 and Aug. 12, for a total of 12 hours, the police counted 791 vehicles driving on Simpson Parkway. Of those, 20 were stopped.

“It is consistent with what we’re seeing citywide,” said Lt. Dave Mather.

Steve Haight said he sits in the back of his shop at his house and can hear the traffic.

“I can tell when you guys are there,” Haight said.

The residents want the street lines repainted. They feel that with the two lanes for driving and a center turn lane, drivers take that as an invitation for speed. Residents noted it’s not just the high school kids making a run to the fast food restaurants along First Street. Often they see mothers racing their children to school, college students and folks from all walks of life.

Steve Haight said cars pass each other in the turn lane instead of using it to turn. He also spoke of a car wreck a few years ago and said it was determined that the driver of a car that struck a pole was going about 50 mph.

Haight compared the measurements of Simpson with those of Salnave and Washington. He said the streets were similar in size, but there were no turn lanes on the other two streets.

Todd Ableman, of the Public Works Department, said Simpson Parkway was built with funds the city received to alleviate traffic problems along Betz and North Sixth Street.

It was painted with the center turning lane based on traffic data in 1995.

“We were unaware of what was happening as far as development,” Ableman said. The road was built before the houses came along.

They wanted to keep the traffic moving smoothly along that road, and officials have to know how many cars are using Simpson Parkway before they repaint any lines.

“We can take a look at possibly taking a traffic count,” Ableman said.

The residents also asked if there could be a stop sign at Bethany Street to slow down the speeders.

Another resident suggested a traffic emphasis patrol in the area to catch speeders.

“We like to do those, and we continually go after grants to do that,” said Cmdr. Rick Campbell.

The problem now is that the Police Department is strapped for overtime funds.

Mather offered a traffic emphasis patrol manned with officers receiving compensation time. There will be two of these patrols, one after the students at the high school return to classes and one after the Eastern Washington University students return.

There will also be a letter sent home with students at the high school explaining that police will be writing tickets in the area.

“We really do care that this is upsetting you,” Mather told the residents.

The Public Works Department will start traffic counts at Simpson Parkway soon, as well as on other streets in Cheney. Once the numbers are crunched with the traffic study, the city can decide whether changes will be made to striping.