North Bend and Snoqualmie residents rely on a safe and open State Route (SR) 202, with the stretch of roadway serving as an important point of connection between the two cities. 

In addition to increased SR 202 traffic over the years, this segment of state highway also lies within the vicinity of the Snoqualmie Valley elk herd habitat, a popular visitor attraction. Public safety concerns related to wildlife crossings and heightened traffic prompted the City of North Bend and the City of Snoqualmie to amend their respective municipal codes, reducing the speed limit on the roadway between Mile Post 27.95 and Mile Post 29.60 from 50 MPH to 40 MPH.

The Ordinances amending North Bend Municipal Code (NBMC) 10.12.010(B) and Snoqualmie Municipal Code (SMC) 10.12.030(A)(4) were the result of local law enforcement and community members reporting higher incidence of elk crossings, “near misses,” and dangerous accidents involving vehicular collisions with elk. The Snoqualmie Tribe and local organizations such as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Meadowbrook Farm Preservation Association also expressed concern for the safety of local wildlife and drivers along SR 202. 

Consequently, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) performed a speed study in early 2024 and concluded that a 40 MPH speed limit was warranted for this stretch of SR 202. Before WSDOT can install new speed limit signage, both cities were required to approve municipal code ordinance amendments.

On July 8, the Snoqualmie City Council approved the Ordinance amending SMC 10.12.030(A)(4). “The Snoqualmie City Council unanimously agreed on this needed speed limit reduction to protect local wildlife and increase public safety,” said Mayor Katherine Ross. “I commend our Council for taking this important action.”

On July 16, the North Bend City Council unanimously approved the Ordinance amending NBMC 10.12.010(B).  “Councilmembers shared a wide range of viewpoints and solutions to increase safety on this stretch of road. We all agree that lowering the speed limit and increasing our drivetime by about 10 seconds in the name of public safety is a worthy commitment,” commented Mayor Miller.

The Cities of North Bend and Snoqualmie anticipate WSDOT will install new speed limit signage on this section of SR 202 in the coming months. 

Even with speed reduction, drivers are encouraged to use caution on SR 202. This stretch of road is often foggy, and elk are sometimes difficult to see. Drivers may be taken by surprise when an elk – or multiple elk – enter the roadway for crossing.

Additional Resources

• Learn more about our local elk population by visiting the Upper Snoqualmie Valley Elk Management Group website
• View North Bend City Council Agenda Bill AB24-067 by referring to page 247 of the July 16, 2024, Council Packet, and view the video recording of the Council meeting by visiting the Media Center at www.northbendwa.gov (discussion begins at approximately 51 minutes in). 

View Snoqualmie City Council Agenda Bill AB24-078 by referring to page 77 of the July 8, 2024, Council Packet and view the Council meeting by visiting their YouTube page (discussion begins at approximately one hour, 52 minutes in).