Jefferson County is looking to lower the speed limit on a stretch of Oak Bay Road.

A drop in the speed limit on a section of Paradise Bay Road is also planned.

The county began looking at traffic changes in Port Ludlow Village following a request last year from homeowners in the area.

A traffic study was finished in 2020 and Jefferson County Public Works said the analysis showed lower speed limits were warranted on some sections of the two roadways.

The maximum speed limit on count roads is 50 mph, and engineers looked at lowering the 40 mph speed limit on Oak Bay Road between milepost section 7.15 to milepost section 10.80.

The county is recommending lower the speed limit from milepost section 8.29 (Pope Way) to milepost section 9.22 (north of Waterhouse Lane) from 40 mph to 35 mph.

The speed limit would also drop from 40 mph at milepost section 9.22 to milepost section 9.76 (west of Village Way, north of the Port Ludlow RV Park).

Also planned: Reducing the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph on Paradise Road between milepost section .27 (north of Spinnaker Place) and milepost section .68 (south of Timberton Drive). 

According to Monte Reinders, the county’s public works director, the traffic study said the drop in speed limits is justified due to road characteristics, land use in the area, and demographics.

A change to the speed limits would require a public hearing and a resolution adopted by the board of commissioners.

A public hearing on the speed limit changes is planned for 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8 before the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners.

County Commissioner Greg Brotherton praised Public Works for its attention to the issue, and said he was glad to have the hearing scheduled, as residents have advocated for years for speed limit changes in Port Ludlow.