WSR 24-15-153
EXPEDITED RULES
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Filed July 24, 2024, 10:48 a.m.]
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: WAC 468-58-030 Limited access highways—Policies on commercial approaches, common carrier and school bus stops, mail box locations and pedestrian crossings.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The purpose of this revision is to update WAC 468-58-030 terminology to align to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).
Reasons Supporting Proposal: To align terminology with the current MUTCD.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Washington state department of transportation, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Jessi Henderson, Olympia, Headquarters, 360-705-7289; Implementation and Enforcement: Trevor McCain, Olympia, Headquarters, 360-705-7282.
This notice meets the following criteria to use the expedited adoption process for these rules:
Adopts or incorporates by reference without material change federal statutes or regulations, Washington state statutes, rules of other Washington state agencies, shoreline master programs other than those programs governing shorelines of statewide significance, or, as referenced by Washington state law, national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards, if the material adopted or incorporated regulates the same subject matter and conduct as the adopting or incorporating rule.
Corrects typographical errors, makes address or name changes, or clarifies language of a rule without changing its effect.
Explanation of the Reason the Agency Believes the Expedited Rule-Making Process is Appropriate: This expedited adoption only updates the terminology to align with current standards and does not change its effect.
NOTICE
THIS RULE IS BEING PROPOSED UNDER AN EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS THAT WILL ELIMINATE THE NEED FOR THE AGENCY TO HOLD PUBLIC HEARINGS, PREPARE A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT, OR PROVIDE RESPONSES TO THE CRITERIA FOR A SIGNIFICANT LEGISLATIVE RULE. IF YOU OBJECT TO THIS USE OF THE EXPEDITED RULE-MAKING PROCESS, YOU MUST EXPRESS YOUR OBJECTIONS IN WRITING AND THEY MUST BE SENT TO Steve Larsen, Washington State Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 47418, 310 Maple Park Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504-7418, phone 360-705-7738, email wac@wsdot.wa.gov, BEGINNING August 7, 2024, AND RECEIVED BY September 23, 2024, 5:00 p.m.
July 24, 2024
Sam Wilson, Director
Business Support Services
OTS-5662.1
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 79-08-061, filed 7/23/79)
WAC 468-58-030Limited access highways—Policies on commercial approaches, common carrier and school bus stops, mail box locations and pedestrian crossings.
(1) Fully controlled limited access highways:
(a) No commercial approaches shall be permitted direct access to main roadway but only to frontage roads when these are provided in the access plan or to the crossroads of interchanges outside the limits of full access control.
(b) No common carrier bus stops other than required by law shall be permitted except at locations provided by the state on the interchanges or, in exceptional cases, along the main roadway where pedestrian separation is available.
(c) School bus stops shall not be permitted except as in ((subparagraph)) (b) of this subsection.
(d) No mail boxes shall be permitted except on frontage roads.
(e) Pedestrian crossings shall not be permitted at grade.
(2) Partially controlled limited access highways:
(a) No commercial approaches shall be permitted except on frontage roads provided in the access plan or at intersections.
(b) Bus stops for both common carriers and school buses shall not be permitted other than as required by law on either two or four lane highways, except as follows:
(i) At locations of intersections, with necessary lanes to be constructed by the state;
(ii) Where shoulder widening has been provided for mail delivery service;
(iii) For a designated school bus ((loading zone))stop on the traveled lane or adjacent thereto which has been approved by the department of transportation.
(c) Pedestrian grade crossings will be permitted only where a grade crossing is provided, except that pedestrian crossings will be permitted on two lane highways at mail box locations or at points designated for school children to cross as provided in ((subparagraph)) (d) of this subsection.
(d) Pedestrian crossings are prohibited in the immediate vicinity of school bus ((loading zones))stops which are located adjacent to the traveled way. Pedestrian crossings may be permitted:
(i) On two lane highways not less than ((one hundred))100 feet from a school bus ((loading zone))stop adjacent to the traveled lane, if school district and department of transportation personnel determine that stopping in the traveled lane is hazardous.
(ii) On two lane highways at the school bus when stopped on the traveled lane to load or unload passengers and the proper sign and signal lights displayed.
(e) School bus ((loading zones))stops on partially controlled access highways shall be posted with school bus ((loading zone))stop signs, in accordance with the latest edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(f) The list of designated school bus ((loading zones))stops approved by the department of transportation will be kept on file and maintained by the headquarters traffic engineer.
(g) Mail boxes shall be located on frontage roads or at intersections, with the following exceptions for properties which are served by Type A or B approaches:
(i) Mail boxes for Type A or B approaches on a four lane highway shall be located only on the side of the highway on which the approach is provided;
(ii) Mail boxes for Type A or B approaches on a two lane highway shall all be located on that side of the highway which is on the right in the direction of the mail delivery.
(3) Modified control limited access highways:
(a) Commercial approaches to modified controlled limited access highways may be permitted only where and in the manner specifically authorized at the time the plan is established and access rights are obtained.
(b) Bus stops and pedestrian crossings may be permitted as follows:
(i) In rural areas, bus stops and pedestrian crossings shall be subject to the same restrictions as on partial controlled limited access highways.
(ii) In urban areas bus stops for both commercial carriers and school buses may be permitted without restrictions other than those required by law.
(c) Mail boxes may be located adjacent to or opposite all authorized approaches as follows:
(i) Mail boxes on a four-lane highway shall be located only on the side of the highway on which the approach is provided.
(ii) Mail boxes on a two-lane highway shall all be located on that side of the highway which is on the right in the direction of the mail delivery.