Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on the Ordinance Establishing a Speed Limit on Virginia Parkway from 800 feet East of Independence Parkway to Coit Road
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
MEETING DATE: April 7, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Robyn Root, P.E., P.T.O.E., Traffic Engineer
Gary Graham, PE, PTOE, Transportation and CIP Engineering Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Approval of the Ordinance
ITEM SUMMARY:
· This Ordinance will establish a speed limit on Virginia Parkway from a point 800 feet east of Independence Parkway to Coit Road.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· Virginia Parkway from a point approximately 800 feet east of Independence Parkway to a point approximately 1200 feet east of Coit Road was reconstructed to be a 4-lane divided roadway.
· Virginia Parkway from a point approximately 1200 feet east of Coit Road to Coit Road has been designed as a 4-lane divided roadway and construction will be completed in early 2016.
· Collin County originally set the speed limit at 50 mph as this section of Virginia Parkway was in the extraterritorial jurisdiction of McKinney. The speed limit of 50 mph was maintained after the development in the surrounding area platted Virginia Parkway in order to meet driver expectations until such time the roadway could be reconstructed.
· The reconstruction along most of Virginia Parkway has been completed and the new lanes are opened to traffic, thus a speed limit needs to be established on this section of Virginia Parkway.
· When developing a recommendation for a speed limit, the following factors should be considered:
o The design speed of the roadway.
o The measured 85th percentile speed.
o The established speed limit on adjacent sections of the same roadway.
o The adjacent land uses along the roadway.
· A design speed of 45 mph was used for construction of this arterial.
· Currently there is very little land uses along this section of Virginia Parkway, but the land uses surrounding this area is zoned for residential.
· The City of Frisco has established the speed limit of Rockhill Parkway (Virginia Parkway) as 50 mph from Preston Road to Coit Road. The speed limit of Virginia Parkway from the point 800 feet east of Independence Parkway eastward to Custer Road is 40 mph.
· A speed study conducted along Virginia Parkway west of Independence Parkway in March 2015 measured an 85th percentile speed of 49.8 mph.
· In order to provide the driver with an expected posted speed limit of roadways of similar design, two speed limits are being proposed. An extension of the 40 mph speed limit is proposed from a point 800 feet east of Independence Parkway to Independence Parkway. A speed limit of 45 mph is proposed between Independence Parkway and Coit Road.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
· The installation of the signage associated with this item is included in the operating budget of the Public Works Department.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
· N/A