01-28-2019 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Prepared By: Reviewed By: Approved By: DJR 1. Purpose. The purpose of this item to gain council approval of a resolution (Exhibit A) requesting a speed study from MnDOT on Willow Drive between Glendale Drive and Watertown Road. 2. Background. The City received a request to reduce the speed limit along Willow Drive between Glendale Drive and Watertown Road. The current speed limit is 40MPH. The requested speed limit is 30MPH. The authority to change a speed limit rests with the Minnesota Commissioner of Transportation. To initiate a speed study the city must pass a resolution requesting the Commissioner conduct one. Enclosed is a flyer from the state describing how speed limits are determined in Minnesota. 3. Scope of Work. Form a Speed Study conducted by MnDOT of Willow Drive between Glendale Drive and Watertown Road. 4. Staff review. a. Traffic Study. City staff conducted and informal speed study. The results were an average speed of 38-39 MPH and an 85% speed of 42 MPH in the subject area. The Average Daily Traffic count was 1780 vehicles per day. b. Road Design. The roadway is classified as a Major Collector. The road geometry and design will support speeds of 45-55MPH. c. Accident Records. A review of the State Crash Mapping Data Base shows 6 accidents since 2006 with 5 off the 6 at the Watertown Road intersection. 5 of 6 were in winter months and the majority were the result of driver error at the intersection. d. Access Points. The road segment has a relative low number of access points: There are five residential properties that directly access this stretch of road, two intersection with residential cul-de-sacs, two residential thru streets and the Hackberry park parking lot. e. Abutting Speed Zones. The speed limit immediately north of this stretch is 30MPH. The speed limits to the south and west of the Watertown intersection are 40MPH and to the east 30 MPH. f. Hackberry Park. The presence of hackberry park with its perpendicular parking lot and youth sports fields immediately abutting the willow drive do support consideration of a lower speed due to the number of potential vehicles backing into the travel lanes and the presence of young children in the area. The section of streets has 510 feet of park frontage. 5. Public Comment. The petition was signed by eight residents. Staff sent a letter soliciting input to all residents abutting the road. Six residents responded. Five supported a speed limit reduction and one opposed as speed limit reduction. All of the responses received (Exhibit C) were in favor of the proposed speed reduction. 6. Cost And Funding. There is no cost to the city for the speed study. Item No.: 14 Date: January 28, 2019 Item Description: Willow Drive Speed Limit Reduction – Resolution Presenter: Adam T. Edwards Public Works Director/City Engineer Agenda Section: Public Works/City Engineer Report