Chapter 11.20
TRAFFIC-CONTROL DEVICES AND SIGNALS
Sections:
11.20.010 Installation authority.
11.20.020 Closing of streets for a temporary period.
11.20.040 Presumption of legality.
11.20.050 Director of public works to designate crosswalks and establish safety zones.
11.20.010 Installation authority.
The director of public works, subject to the approval of the city manager, shall place and maintain traffic control signs and signals when and as required under this traffic code, to make effective the provisions of this traffic code, and the director of public works may place and maintain such additional traffic-control devices as he may deem necessary, subject to the approval of the city manager, to regulate traffic under the traffic code of this city or to guide or warn traffic. Placement of traffic signals shall additionally be subject to the approval of the city council. (Ord. 3163 § 1, 2011; Ord. 1517 § 31-21, 1971).
11.20.020 Closing of streets for a temporary period.
(1) Whenever street repairs, underground utility installations, construction, movement of buildings or activities of a similar nature are projected that would preclude the use of a street or portion thereof by vehicular or pedestrian traffic for a temporary period of time, the department, agency, contractor or private party contemplating such action shall obtain a permit to do so from the city public works department. The application for the permit shall stipulate the inclusive times and dates for which closure is requested. Upon approval of a permit, the department of public works shall coordinate projected street closures with the police and fire departments, stipulate the protection of pedestrian and traffic if such is required and will have erected the necessary signs and barriers for rerouting traffic for the period projected in the application. Fees for street closure or use of public right-of-way shall be established by council resolution.
(2) In the event of an emergency, the police and fire departments shall have the authority to block off portions of streets that are necessary to contain the emergency until the emergency has subsided. However, in the event the emergency cannot be alleviated within a few hours or damage occurs necessitating street closures for an extended period of time, responsibilities for such closures shall be coordinated with the public works department. (Ord. 1517 § 31-21.1, 1971).
11.20.030 Design.
All traffic-control signals, signs and traffic-control devices to be erected or maintained upon any city street, alley, or improved right-of-way shall be uniform as to type and location throughout the city and shall be in compliance with Chapter 468-95 WAC as now enacted or hereafter amended. All traffic-control devices so erected and not inconsistent with the provisions of state law or this traffic code shall be official traffic-control devices. (Ord. 3163 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1517 § 31-22, 1971).
11.20.040 Presumption of legality.
(1) When official traffic-control devices are placed in position approximately conforming to the requirements of this traffic code, such devices shall be presumed to have been placed by the official act or direction of lawful authority, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence.
(2) Any official traffic-control device placed pursuant to the provisions of this traffic code and purporting to conform to the lawful requirements pertaining to such devices shall be presumed to comply with the requirements of this title, unless the contrary shall be established by competent evidence. (Ord. 1517 § 31-23, 1971).
11.20.050 Director of public works to designate crosswalks and establish safety zones.
The director of public works, subject to the approval of the city manager, is authorized:
(1) To designate and maintain, by appropriate devices, marks or lines upon the surface of the roadway, crosswalks at intersections where in his opinion there is particular danger to pedestrians crossing the roadway, and at such other places as he may deem necessary;
(2) To establish safety zones of such kind and character and at such places as he may deem necessary for the protection of pedestrians. (Ord. 1517 § 31-24, 1971).
11.20.060 Traffic lanes.
(1) The director of public works, subject to the approval of the city manager, is authorized to mark traffic lanes upon the roadway of any street or highway where a regular alignment of traffic is necessary.
(2) Where such traffic lanes have been marked, it is unlawful for the operator of any vehicle to fail or refuse to keep such vehicle within the boundaries of any such lane except when lawfully passing another vehicle or preparatory to making a lawful turning movement. (Ord. 1517 § 31-25, 1971).