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Traffic Safety in Fairwood
Map of upcoming Fairwood traffic safety improvement locations. Larger view (2MB)
Overview
King County is hard at work looking for ways to manage traffic and improve safety along 140 Ave. SE and SE Petrovitsky Rd. in Fairwood. We are in contact with community members who have shared concerns about speed, roadway layout, minor and severe and fatal crashes, and local drivers who regularly disobey traffic safety laws.
We’ve made several short-term improvements to the area, and traffic engineers are actively considering additional traffic calming options suggested by the community and recommended by experts. We also work alongside our traffic enforcement partners at the King County Sheriff’s Office.
We value transparency and community involvement and are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. This website will be updated with more information as it becomes available. Safety is our highest priority.
Traffic safety improvements in place and coming soon
In place as of June 2024
Radar speed signs
- Two (2) permanent radar speed signs installed on 140 Ave. SE, near SE 186 St. and SE 181 St. in April 2023.
Coming in summer 2024
Traffic light timing adjustment
- Location: Intersection of 140 Ave. SE and SE 192 St.
- Details: Traffic engineers will change the traffic light timing to increase the amount of “green” time allowed in the left-turn lane and disable the flashing left-turn arrow during the afternoon.
Add new radar speed signs
- Location: 140 Ave. SE north of SE Petrovitsky Rd.
- Details: The county will look into adding more permanent radar speed signs.
- Next steps: If needed, the new radar speed signs will be installed.
Proposed speed limit reduction on 140 Ave. SE
- Location: 140 Ave. SE, from SE 192 St. to the Renton City Limits (SE 158th St.).
- Speed reduction proposal: Reduce the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph.
- Next steps: There will be a two-week public comment period held this summer. If approved by the community, the speed reduction will go into effect in late summer or early fall 2024.
Common questions from community as of June 2024
As we get more questions, we will add them here.
What is the County doing to control excessive speeding on 140 Ave. SE?In April 2023, two permanent radar speed feedback signs were installed on 140 Ave. SE, near the intersections of SE 186 St. and SE 181 St. This summer our team will look into locations for new radar speed feedback signs on 140 Ave. SE north of SE Petrovitsky Rd.
The King County Sheriff’s Office, the only agency authorized to enforce speed limits in unincorporated King County, should be alerted to concerns about speeding. You may request enforcement by calling 911 for this non-emergency issue or report it online at Traffic Complaint Reporting - King County, Washington. It is helpful to share times of the day when you observe speeding.
Are there any other initiatives planned to control speeding in Fairwood?
The King County Target Zero Traffic Safety Coalition has announced a new pilot program that provides real-time, educational feedback to motorists in an effort to reduce unsafe driving.
Four “smart signs” will rotate between 12 locations in King County, staying at each for eight weeks at a time. The pilot program includes installing smart signs in Fairwood on 140 Ave. SE between SE 156 St. and SE Fairwood Blvd in June 2024.
“Smart signs” being tested in four locations will display a warning after certain unsafe driver behaviors are detected. The signs do not take photographs or collect personal information.
The signs will detect whether drivers are distracted, wearing their seat belts, or speeding, and display appropriate messaging that is relevant to each driver.
Learn more on the Target Zero website.
Is it possible to build a roundabout at 140 Ave. SE and SE 186 St.?
Roundabouts are one type of traffic management which, apart from aiming to reduce crashes, need to strike a balance between safety and the movement of all road users, including bicyclists and pedestrians.
We do not currently have plans to construct a roundabout at this intersection. We maintain a prioritized list of intersections for installation of roundabouts or other improvements in comparison to other intersections throughout unincorporated King County. Currently, roundabouts are installed at select high crash locations, where we also consider other factors to determine their suitability.
We are exploring other ways to calm traffic along the entire 140 Ave. SE corridor, especially aggressive driving, and excessive speeding.
If the intersection met the conditions for a roundabout, would the County build it?
Once an intersection is placed on the approved location list for a new roundabout, the next step is to find money to design and build it. There are many more large infrastructure projects that meet the requirements to build than the County can afford to build. This is because King County does not have enough money to build and maintain new infrastructure at the rate that it is needed. There also is limited funding to maintain the infrastructure we already have, such as filling potholes, clearing out roadside ditches and bridge and sidewalk repair work.
How much does it cost to build a new roundabout?
A roundabout costs between $5 million and $7 million dollars. The County must widen the entire intersection to build a roundabout. Roundabouts take up a lot more space than a typical intersection. In most cases, approximately 10 percent of the total project cost is used to purchase land on all four corners of the intersection. Buying real estate is costly and takes time. It can take up to five years to buy the real estate and build a roundabout.
More people, housing subdivisions and business parks are moving into the area, bringing more traffic. What is the County doing to make sure the road system can handle the additional traffic?
Before any new development can be built, the County must check how it will affect traffic.
If the County finds that the big housing project or commercial development will make traffic worse in the immediate area, then the developer must pay for any improvements needed to fix the issue. Some possible improvements include widening the road or adding turn lanes to manage increased traffic flow.
Does the County charge developers a fee to help offset costs of improving nearby roads that may be impacted by new housing or business park subdivisions?
King County does not charge a set fee for developments to help with infrastructure. Instead, the County works with individual commercial and large residential project developers to determine if their project will create traffic impacts. If the County believes the new development will bring more traffic than the current roads can handle, then the developer must pay for the improvements needed to keep traffic flowing.
Are there grants available to help pay for safety improvements on 140 Ave. SE ?
There are several significant, competitive grants available to help with infrastructure in King County. Some may be able to help cover the cost of safety improvements in Fairwood.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) allows federal agencies to offer grants for projects across the country. King County monitors these grant opportunities and applies for funds for projects that qualify. However, not all the grants from this law are for traffic safety projects.
We have received two awards including one related to traffic safety - Safe Streets and Roads for All.
The Safe Streets and Roads for All grant funds a detailed study to find out why crashes happen on County roads in unincorporated areas and which roads need the most attention. The goal is to make these roads safer and reduce the severity of crashes. It is possible that roads in Fairwood could be among those that will need significant safety improvements.
This study, called “The Comprehensive Safety Action Plan,” will be finished in 2026. With this plan, we can show the connection between safety issues and specific locations, which helps us get more grant money.
Why can’t property taxes pay for road improvements in Fairwood?
Approximately 80 percent of Road Services’ budget comes from property tax, and there is only enough funding to maintain our existing roads, bridges and related infrastructure. Property tax alone does not provide enough funding (revenue) to build new infrastructure or pay for significant road safety improvements.
Property taxes, including those from Fairwood, are combined into one fund and then spread out across the county. We assess the entire road system to identify areas with the most critical needs. The County prioritizes funding based on specific criteria to ensure the most urgent and necessary road projects receive attention first.
For more information about Washington State property tax, visit the Municipal Research and Service Center (MRSC) website.
If you would like more information on where your property taxes go, you may visit the King County Assessor at 2024 Property Taxes - King County, Washington.
What traffic safety improvements have county-maintained sections in the vicinity of both 140 Ave. SE and SE Petrovitsky Rd. received in the past few years?
| Category | Action (Installation) | Location | Year |
| Lighting | |||
| Arterial street lighting | 140 Ave. SE, west side | 2024 | |
| Street lighting | SE 176 St & 171 Way SE | 2019 | |
| Street lighting | SE Petrovitsky Rd., between 15600 block and 162 Pl E | 2023 | |
| High Crash Location | |||
| High Friction Surface Treatment | 140 Ave. SE & SE Petrovitsky Rd | 2018 | |
| Roundabout | SE 176 St. & 171 Way SE | 2019 | |
| Radar Speed Signs | |||
| Rotational Radar Speed Signs | 140 Ave. SE near SE 200th St, both directions | ||
| Permanent Radar Speed Signs | 140 Ave. SE near 186 St., both directions | 2022 | |
| School Zone Flashers | |||
| School zone flasher assembly | SE Addison Way at Carriage Crest Elementary | 2020 | |
| School zone flasher assembly | SE Petrovitsky Rd. at Ridgewood Elementary | 2019 | |
| Curbing, rumble strips, other delineation | |||
| Barrier curbing | SE Petrovitsky Rd. east of 140 Ave. SE | 2018 | |
| Lane edge rumble strip | 140 Ave. SE on northbound approach to SE Petrovitsky Rd. | 2018 | |
| Gore line extension, left turn lanes | 140 Ave. SE near Carriage Crest Elementary/SE 186 St | ||
| Merge lane and bike lane re-alignment | SE Petrovitsky Rd. at Fairwood Fire Station | ||
| Re-alignment of turn lanes | 140 Ave. SE & SE 186 St., SE 181 St. | 2022 | |
| Pedestrian and non-motorized improvements | |||
| Sidewalk repairs | S/E corner of 140 Ave. SE & SE Petrovitsky Rd. | 2018 | |
| Marked crosswalk | at traffic island on S/E corner of 140 Ave. SE & SE Petrovitsky Rd. | 2018-19 | |
| Leading Pedestrian Interval | SE Petrovitsky Rd. & Parkside Way SE | 2024 | |
| Leading Pedestrian Interval | 140 Ave. SE & 171 Way SE | 2023 | |
| ADA audible pedestrian signal | 140 Ave. SE & SE Petrovitsky Rd. | 2019 | |
| Pedestrian flag holders | 140 Ave. SE & SE 200 St. | 2021 | |
| Flexible guideposts | 140 Ave. SE & SE 200 St. | 2022 | |
| Signals | |||
| Flashing-yellow left turn signal | SE Petrovitsky Rd. & 151 Ave. SE | 2020 | |
| Flashing-yellow left turn signal | SE Petrovitsky Rd. & 143 Ave. SE | 2024 | |
| Flashing-yellow left turn signal | SE Petrovitsky Rd. & Parkside Way SE | 2024 | |
| Flashing-yellow left turn signal | 140 Ave. SE & SE 192 St. | 2019 | |
| Signal Coordination Plan | SE Petrovitsky Rd., between 132 Ave. SE to 151 Ave. SE; 140 Ave. SE between SE Petrovitsky Rd. and SE Fairwood Blvd. | 2019 | |
| ITS Camera | 140 Ave. SE & SE 192 St. | ||
| Other maintenance | |||
| Signal preventative maintenance | All signals | 3x year | |
| Guardrail | SE Petrovitsky Rd., between fire station and Petrovitsky Park | Annually | |
| Lane markings | SE Petrovitsky Rd., 140 Ave. SE | 2x year | |
| Seasonal signs, 'watch for ice,' etc | SE Petrovitsky Rd., 140 Ave. SE | Annually | |
| CIP button replacement | SE Petrovitsky Rd., 140 Ave. SE | 2020 | |
| CIP thermoplastic repair | SE Petrovitsky Rd., 140 Ave. SE | 2020 | |
| Thermoplastic pavement markings | All roads | Every four years, began in 2018. |