By Dan Richman

Staff Reporter

In response to vigorous public reaction, the speed limit on Engle Road in Coupeville will be cut to 35 mph, from 50, from Hill Road to the town limits, the Island County Board of Commissioners concluded Tuesday. An earlier proposal would have imposed the 35-mph limit only along the 0.2 mile south of town, though several residents wanted that limit along the road’s entire length.

“I like the word ‘compromise,’ and that’s what this is,” said Commissioner Rick Hannold.

County engineers will study whether parts or all of Engle Road should be a no-passing zone, pledged county engineer Bill Oakes. And storm drains along the road that bicyclist Greg Sivertsen said pose a menace to cyclists will be examined, said Commissioner Helen Price Johnson.

The 15 area residents who attended Tuesday’s hearing seemed pleased by the decision.

“There’s no risk to the county in reducing more of the road to 35 mph,” said Alan Hancock, an Engle Road resident. “The risk is in having a burst of 50 mph. That makes no sense.”

Residents first objected to the more limited speed-limit reductions at a commissioners’ meeting several weeks ago. A third hearing will be required to finalize the changes agreed to on Tuesday.