This chapter is adopted in accordance with chapter 47.50 RCW for the implementation of an access control classification system and standards for the regulation and control of vehicular ingress to, and egress from the state highway system.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions of the terms shall apply unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) "Average daily traffic (ADT)" means the volume of traffic passing a point or segment of a highway, in both directions, during a period of time, divided by the number of days in the period and factored to represent an estimate of traffic volume for an average day of the year.

(2) "Conforming connection" means a connection that meets current department location, spacing, and design criteria.

(3) "Connection" means approaches, driveways, turnouts, or other means of providing for the right of access to or from controlled access facilities on the state highway system.

(4) "Connection permit" means a written authorization given by the department for a specifically designed connection to the state highway system at a specific location for a specific type and intensity of property use and specific volume of traffic for the proposed connection, based on the final stage of proposed development of the applicant’s property. The actual form used for this authorization will be determined by the department.

(5) "Contiguous parcels" means two or more pieces of real property under the same ownership with one or more boundaries that touch and have similarity of use.

(6) "Controlled access facility" means a transportation facility (excluding limited access facilities as defined in chapter 47.52 RCW) to which access is regulated by the governmental entity having jurisdiction over the facility. Owners or occupants of abutting lands and other persons have a right of access to and from such facility at such points only and in such manner as may be determined by the governmental entity.

(7) "Corner clearance" means the distance from an intersection of a public or private road to the nearest connection along a controlled access facility. This distance is measured from the closest edge of the traveled way of the intersecting road to the closest edge of the traveled way of the connection measured along the traveled way (through lanes).

(8) "Department" means the Washington state department of transportation.

(9) "Governmental entity" means, for the purpose of this chapter, a unit of local government or officially designated transportation authority that has the responsibility for planning, construction, operation, maintenance, or jurisdiction over transportation facilities.

(10) "Intersection" means an at grade connection on a state highway with a road or street duly established as a public road or public street by the local governmental entity.

(11) "Joint use connection" means a single connection point that serves as a connection to more than one property or development, including those in different ownerships or in which access rights are provided in the legal descriptions.

(12) "Limited access facility" means a highway or street especially designed or designated for through traffic, and over, from, or to which owners or occupants of abutting land, or other persons have no right or easement, or only a limited right or easement of access, light, view, or air by reason of the fact that their property abuts upon such limited access facility, or for any other reason to accomplish the purpose of a limited access facility.

(13) "Nonconforming connection" means a connection not meeting current department location, spacing, or design criteria.

(14) "Permit" means written approval issued by the department, subject to conditions stated therein, authorizing construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or reclassification of a state highway connection and associated traffic control devices on or to the department’s right of way.

(15) "Permitting authority" means the department or any county, municipality, or transportation authority authorized to regulate access to their respective transportation systems.

(16) "State highway system" means all roads, streets, and highways designated as state routes in compliance with chapter 47.17 RCW.

(17) "Reasonable access" means an access connection that is suitable for the existing and/or proposed property use and does not adversely affect the safety, operations or maintenance of the state highway system.

(18) "Variance permit" means a special nonconforming or additional connection permit, issued for a location not normally permitted by current department standards, after an engineering study demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the department, that the connection will not adversely affect the safety, maintenance or operation of the highway in accordance with its assigned classification. This permit will remain valid until modified or revoked by the permitting authority.

The connection and intersection spacing distances specified in this chapter are minimums. Greater distances may be required by the department on individual permits issued in accordance with chapter 468-51 WAC to provide desirable traffic operational and safety characteristics. If greater distances are required, the department will document, as part of the response to a connection permit application in compliance with chapter 468-51 WAC, the reasons, based on traffic engineering principles, that such greater distances are required. Nonconforming permits may be issued in accordance with chapter 468-51 WAC allowing for less than minimum spacing where no other reasonable access exists, or a variance connection permit may be issued where it can be substantiated by a traffic analysis, to the satisfaction of the department, through the permit application process that allowing less than the minimum spacing or more than the maximum number of connections, would not adversely affect the desired function of the state highway in accordance with the assigned access classification, and would not adversely affect the safety, maintenance or operation of the state highway.

This section provides an access control classification system consisting of five classes. The functional characteristics and the access control design standards for each class are described. The classes are arranged from the most restrictive, class one, to the least restrictive, class five. This access control classification system does not include highways or portions thereof that have been established as limited access highways in compliance with chapter 47.52 RCW. For state highways that are planned for the establishment of limited access control in accordance with the Master Plan for Limited Access Highways, an access control classification will be assigned to each highway segment to remain in effect until such time that the facility is established as a limited access facility.

On all access classes, property access shall be located and designed to minimize interference with transit facilities and/or high occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities on state highways where such facilities exist or where such facilities are proposed in a state, regional, metropolitan, or local transportation plan. In such cases, if reasonable access is available from the general street system, primary property access shall be provided from the general street system rather than from the state highway.

(1) Class one.

(a) Functional characteristics:

These highways have the capacity for safe and efficient high speed and/or high volume traffic movements, providing for interstate, interregional, and intercity travel needs and some intracity travel needs. Service to abutting land is subordinate to providing service to major traffic movements. Highways in this class are typically distinguished by a highly controlled, limited number of public and private connections, restrictive medians with limited median openings on multilane facilities, and infrequent traffic signals.

(b) Access control design standards:

(i) It is the intent that the design of class one highways be generally capable of achieving a posted speed limit of fifty to sixty-five mph. Spacing of intersecting streets, roads, and highways shall be planned with a minimum spacing of one mile. One-half mile spacing may be permitted, but only when no reasonable alternative access exists.

(ii) Private direct access to the state highway shall not be permitted except when the property has no other reasonable access to the general street system. The following standards will be applied when direct access must be provided:

(A) The access connection shall continue until such time that other reasonable access to a highway with a less restrictive access control classification or access to the general street system becomes available and is permitted.

(B) The minimum distance to another public or private access connection shall be one thousand three hundred twenty feet. Nonconforming connection permits may be issued to provide access to parcels whose highway frontage, topography, or location would otherwise preclude issuance of a conforming connection permit; however, variance permits are not allowed. No more than one connection shall be provided to an individual parcel or to contiguous parcels under the same ownership.

(C) All private direct access shall be for right turns only on multilane facilities, unless special conditions warrant and are documented by a traffic analysis in the connection permit application, signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW.

(D) No additional access connections to the state highway shall be provided for newly created parcels resulting from property divisions. All access for such parcels shall be provided by internal road networks. Access to the state highway will be at existing permitted connection locations or at revised connection locations, as conditions warrant.

(iii) A restrictive median shall be provided on multilane facilities to separate opposing traffic movements and to prevent unauthorized turning movements.

(2) Class two.

(a) Functional characteristics:

These highways have the capacity for medium to high speeds and medium to high volume traffic movements over medium and long distances in a safe and efficient manner, providing for interregional, intercity, and intracity travel needs. Direct access service to abutting land is subordinate to providing service to traffic movement. Highways in this class are typically distinguished by existing or planned restrictive medians, where multilane facilities are warranted, and minimum distances between public and private connections.

(b) Access control design standards:

(i) It is the intent that the design of class two highways be generally capable of achieving a posted speed limit of thirty-five to fifty mph in urbanized areas and forty-five to fifty-five mph in rural areas. Spacing of intersecting streets, roads, and highways shall be planned with a minimum spacing of one-half mile. Less than one-half mile intersection spacing may be permitted, but only when no reasonable alternative access exists. In urban areas and developing areas where higher volumes are present or growth that will require signalization is expected in the foreseeable future, it is imperative that the location of any public access be planned carefully to ensure adequate signal progression. Addition of all new connections, public or private, that may require signalization will require an engineering analysis signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW.

(ii) Private direct access to the state highway system shall be permitted only when the property has no other reasonable access to the general street system or if access to the general street system would cause traffic operational conditions or safety concerns unacceptable to the local governmental entity. When direct access must be provided, the following conditions shall apply:

(A) The access connection shall continue until such time that other reasonable access to a highway with a less restrictive access control classification or acceptable access to the general street system becomes available and is permitted.

(B) The minimum distance to another public or private access connection shall be six hundred sixty feet. Nonconforming connection permits may be issued to provide access to parcels whose highway frontage, topography, or location would otherwise preclude issuance of a conforming connection permit. No more than one connection shall be provided to an individual parcel or to contiguous parcels under the same ownership unless the highway frontage exceeds one thousand three hundred twenty feet and it can be shown that the additional access would not adversely affect the desired function of the state highway in accordance with the assigned access classification, and would not adversely affect the safety or operation of the state highway.

(C) Variance permits may be allowed if conditions warrant and are demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department by a traffic analysis, signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, who is registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW, which is included with the connection permit application.

(D) All private direct access shall be for right turns only on multilane facilities, unless special conditions warrant and are demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the department, by a traffic analysis, signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, who is registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW, included with the connection permit application and only if left turn channelization is provided.

(E) No additional access connections to the state highway shall be provided for newly created parcels resulting from property divisions. All access for such parcels shall be provided by internal road networks. Access to the state highway will be at existing permitted connection locations or at revised connection locations, as conditions warrant.

(iii) On multilane facilities a restrictive median shall be provided to separate opposing traffic movements and to prevent unauthorized turning movements; however, a nonrestrictive median or a two way left turn lane may be used when special conditions exist and mainline volumes are below 20,000 ADT.

(3) Class three.

(a) Functional characteristics:

These highways have the capacity for moderate travel speeds and moderate traffic volumes for medium and short travel distances providing for intercity, intracity, and intercommunity travel needs. There is a reasonable balance between direct access and mobility needs for highways in this class. This class is to be used primarily where the existing level of development of the adjoining land is less intensive than maximum buildout and where the probability of significant land use change and increased traffic demand is high. Highways in this class are typically distinguished by planned restrictive medians, where multilane facilities are warranted, and minimum distances between public and private connections. Two-way left-turn-lanes may be utilized where special conditions warrant and mainline traffic volumes are below 25,000 ADT. Development of properties with internal road networks and joint access connections are encouraged.

(b) Access control design standards:

(i) It is the intent that the design of class three highways be generally capable of achieving a posted speed limit of thirty to forty mph in urbanized areas and forty-five to fifty-five mph in rural areas. In rural areas, spacing of intersecting streets, roads, and highways shall be planned with a minimum spacing of one-half mile. Less than one-half mile intersection spacing may be permitted, but only when no reasonable alternative access exists. In urban areas and developing areas where higher volumes are present or growth that will require signalization is expected in the foreseeable future, it is imperative that the location of any public access be planned carefully to ensure adequate signal progression. Where feasible, major intersecting roadways that may ultimately require signalization shall be planned with a minimum of one-half mile spacing. Addition of all new connections, public or private, that may require signalization will require an engineering analysis signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW.

(ii) Private direct access:

(A) No more than one access shall be provided to an individual parcel or to contiguous parcels under the same ownership unless it can be shown that additional access points would not adversely affect the desired function of the state highway in accordance with the assigned access classification, and would not adversely affect the safety or operation, of the state highway.

(B) The minimum distance to another public or private access connection shall be three hundred thirty feet. Nonconforming connection permits may be issued to provide access to parcels whose highway frontage, topography, or location would otherwise preclude issuance of a conforming connection permit.

(C) Variance permits may be allowed if conditions warrant and are demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department by a traffic analysis, signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, who is registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW, which is included with the connection permit application.

(4) Class four.

(a) Functional characteristics:

These highways have the capacity for moderate travel speeds and moderate traffic volumes for medium and short travel distances providing for intercity, intracity, and intercommunity travel needs. There is a reasonable balance between direct access and mobility needs for highways in this class. This class is to be used primarily where the existing level of development of the adjoining land is more intensive and where the probability of major land use changes is less probable than on class three highway segments. Highways in this class are typically distinguished by existing or planned nonrestrictive medians. Restrictive medians may be used as operational conditions warrant to mitigate turning, weaving, and crossing conflicts. Minimum connection spacing standards should be applied if adjoining properties are redeveloped.

(b) Access control design standards:

(i) It is the intent that the design of class four highways be generally capable of achieving a posted speed limit of thirty to thirty-five mph in urbanized areas and thirty-five to forty-five mph in rural areas. In rural areas, spacing of intersecting streets, roads, and highways shall be planned with a minimum spacing of one-half mile. Less than one-half mile intersection spacing may be permitted, but only when no reasonable alternative access exists. In urban areas and developing areas where higher volumes are present or growth that will require signalization is expected in the foreseeable future, it is imperative that the location of any public access be planned carefully to ensure adequate signal progression. Where feasible, major intersecting roadways that may ultimately require signalization shall be planned with a minimum of one-half mile spacing. Addition of all new connections, public or private, that may require signalization will require an engineering analysis signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW.

(ii) Private direct access:

(A) No more than one access shall be provided to an individual parcel or to contiguous parcels under the same ownership unless it can be shown that additional access points would not adversely affect the desired function of the state highway in accordance with the assigned access classification, and would not adversely affect the safety or operation of the state highway.

(B) The minimum distance to another public or private access connection shall be two hundred fifty feet. Nonconforming connection permits may be issued to provide access to parcels whose highway frontage, topography, or location would otherwise preclude issuance of a conforming connection permit.

(C) Variance permits may be allowed if conditions warrant and are demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department by a traffic analysis, signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, who is registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW, which is included with the connection permit application.

(5) Class five.

(a) Functional characteristics:

These highways have the capacity for moderate travel speeds and moderate traffic volumes for primarily short travel distances providing for intracity and intracommunity trips primarily for access to state highways of higher classification. Access needs may generally be higher than the need for through traffic mobility without compromising the public health, welfare, or safety. These highways will generally have nonrestrictive medians.

(b) Access control design standards:

(i) It is the intent that the design of class five highways be capable of achieving a posted speed limit of twenty-five to thirty-five mph. In rural areas, spacing of intersecting streets, roads, and highways shall be planned with a minimum spacing of one-quarter mile. Less than one-quarter mile spacing may be permitted where no reasonable alternative exists. In urban areas and developing areas where higher volumes are present or growth that will require signalization is expected in the foreseeable future, it is imperative that the location of any public access be planned carefully to ensure adequate signal progression. Where feasible, major intersecting roadways that may ultimately require signalization shall be planned with a minimum of one-quarter mile spacing. Addition of all new connections, public or private, that may require signalization will require an engineering analysis signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW.

(ii) Private direct access:

(A) No more than one access shall be provided to an individual parcel or to contiguous parcels under the same ownership unless it can be shown that additional access points would not adversely affect the desired function of the state highway in accordance with the assigned access classification, and would not adversely affect the safety or operation of the state highway.

(B) The minimum distance to another public or private access connection shall be one hundred twenty-five feet. Nonconforming connection permits may be issued to provide access to parcels whose highway frontage, topography, or location would otherwise preclude issuance of a conforming connection permit.

(C) Variance permits may be allowed if conditions warrant and are demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department by a traffic analysis, signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer, who is registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW, which is included with the connection permit application.

(6) Corner clearance. Corner clearances for connections shall meet or exceed the minimum connection spacing requirements of the applicable access class where the highway segment has been assigned a classification. A single connection may be placed closer to the intersection, in compliance with the permit application process specified in chapter 468-51 WAC, and in accordance with the following criteria:

(a) If, due to property size, corner clearance standards of this chapter cannot be met, and where joint access meeting or exceeding the minimum corner clearance standards cannot be obtained, or is determined by the department to be not feasible because of conflicting land use or conflicting traffic volumes or operational characteristics, then the following minimum corner clearance criteria may be used:

(b) In cases where connections are permitted under the above criteria, the permit issued in compliance with chapter 468-51 WAC shall contain the following additional conditions:

(i) There shall be no more than one connection per property frontage on the state highway.

(ii) When joint or alternate access meeting or exceeding the minimum corner clearance standards becomes available, the permit holder shall close the permitted connection, unless the permit holder shows to the department's satisfaction that such closure is not feasible.

(iii) Variance permits are not allowed.

(1) Review of permits on classified highway segments. Connection permit applications on controlled access facilities of the state highway system received on a particular segment that has been classified in accordance with this chapter shall be reviewed subject to the requirements of this chapter in compliance with the permit application process specified in chapter 468-51 WAC.

(2) Prior approvals. Connections permitted prior to the adoption of this chapter and unpermitted connections that do not require closure in accordance with WAC 468-51-030 are not required to meet the interim standards or the standards of assigned access classifications adopted in compliance with this chapter.

(3) New permits required by chapter 468-51 WAC. All new connection permits required due to significant changes in property site use in compliance with WAC 468-51-110, or permit modification in compliance with WAC 468-51-120 shall be reviewed subject to the requirements of this chapter.

(4) Permits approved under interim standards. Connection permits that were issued in accordance with the interim standards in WAC 468-52-040 on a highway segment where an access classification had not been adopted shall remain in effect after adoption of an access classification on that highway segment unless a new permit is required due to changes in property site use in compliance with WAC 468-51-110 or unless permit modification, revocation, or closure of the permitted connection is required in compliance with WAC 468-51-120.

(5) Nonconforming permits. Nonconforming permits may be issued in accordance with WAC 468-51-100 for certain connections not meeting the interim standards in WAC 468-52-040 or the access classification location and spacing standards adopted for a particular highway segment.

(6) Variance permits. Variance permits may be issued in accordance with WAC 468-51-105 for certain connections not meeting the access classification standards for location, spacing or exceed the number of connections allowed by the standards adopted for a particular highway segment. These permits may be allowed if conditions warrant and are demonstrated to the satisfaction of the department by a traffic analysis, signed and sealed by a qualified professional engineer who is registered in accordance with chapter 18.43 RCW, and included in the connection permit application, and will remain in effect unless a new permit is required due to changes in property site use in compliance with WAC 468-51-110 or unless permit modification, revocation, or closure of the permitted connection is required in compliance with WAC 468-51-120.

The assignment of an access control classification to all controlled access segments of the state highway system shall be the responsibility of the department. The process to be followed in assigning the classifications is as follows:

(1) Defining segments. The determination of the length and termini of segments shall be the responsibility of the department working in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Planning Organizations, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and the appropriate local governmental entities.

(a) Segments of highways to be assigned to a particular access control classification shall be defined by the department in cooperation with local governments. The length and termini of segments shall take into consideration the mobility and access needs of the traveling public, the access needs of the existing and proposed land use abutting the highway segment, and the existing and desired mobility characteristics of the roadway. The number of classification changes occurring along a particular highway shall be minimized to provide highway system continuity, uniformity, and integrity to the maximum extent feasible. The segments shall not necessarily be confined by local jurisdictional boundaries. Points of transition between classifications along a particular route should be located on boundaries, or coincident with identifiable physical features.

(2) Assignment of classifications. All segments of all controlled access facilities on the state highway system shall be assigned to one of the access control classes one through five. The assignment of a classification to a specific segment of highway shall be the responsibility of the department. The classification shall be made in cooperation with the Regional Transportation Planning Organization, Metropolitan Planning Organization, and the appropriate local governmental entities. For city streets that are designated as state highways in compliance with chapter 47.24 RCW, the department will obtain concurrence in the final class assignment from the city or town for those state highways where the city or town is the permitting authority. The assignment of a classification shall take into consideration the following factors:

(a) Local land use plans, zoning, and land development regulations as set forth in adopted comprehensive plans;

(b) The current and potential functional classification of the highway;

(c) Existing and projected future traffic volumes;

(d) Existing and projected state, local, and metropolitan planning organization transportation plans and needs including consideration of new or improved parallel facilities;

(e) Drainage requirements;

(f) The character of the lands adjoining the highway;

(g) The type and volume of traffic requiring access;

(h) Other operational aspects of access, including corridor accident history;

(i) The availability of reasonable access to the state highway by way of county roads or city streets as an alternative to a connection to the state highway;

(j) The cumulative effect of existing and projected connections on the state highway system’s ability to provide for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods within the state.

(3) Changes in jurisdiction. When the boundaries of an incorporated city or town are revised to include a portion of a controlled access state highway resulting in a change in the permitting authority from the department to the city or town in accordance with chapter 47.24 RCW, the access classification of that portion of the state highway shall remain unchanged unless modified in accordance with WAC 468-52-070.

(1) Department initiated action. The department may, at any time, initiate a review of the access control classification of any segment of any state highway. When a major change occurs in any of the factors noted in WAC 468-52-060(2), the department shall review the access classification for the specific segments of any state highway affected by the change. Prior to the initiation of any change in classification of a highway segment, the department shall notify in writing the appropriate Regional Transportation Planning Organization, Metropolitan Planning Organization, and local governmental entities. The department will consult with the RTPO, MPO, and local governmental entities and shall take into consideration, any comments or concerns received during the review process. For city streets that are designated as state highways in compliance with chapter 47.24 RCW, the department will obtain concurrence in the final class assignment from the city or town for those state highways where the city or town is the permitting authority. The department shall notify the RTPO, MPO, and local governmental entities in writing of the final determination of the reclassification action.

(2) Requests for departmental review. A Regional Transportation Planning Organization, Metropolitan Planning Organization, or local governmental entity may request, in writing, at any time that the secretary of transportation initiate a review of the access control classification of a specific segment or segments of a state highway(s). Such written request shall identify the segment(s) of state highway for which the review is requested and shall include a specific recommendation for the reclassification of the highway segment(s) involved. Justification for the requested change shall be provided in the request taking into account the standards and criteria in WAC 468-52-040 and 468-52-060. The department will consult with the RTPO, MPO, and local governmental entities involved and shall take into consideration, any comments or concerns received during the review process. The department shall notify the RTPO, MPO, and local governmental entities in writing of the final determination of the reclassification action.

Other interested persons or organizations who wish to initiate a review of the access control classification of a specific highway segment shall do so through the local governmental entity, MPO, or RTPO.