Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Revising the Speed Limit on a Section of US 380 (University Drive)
Summary
MEETING DATE: February 7, 2012
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Gary Graham, PE, PTOE, Transportation Engineering Mgr.
Robyn Root, PE, PTOE, Traffic Engineer
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the Ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This Ordinance revises the speed limit on US 380 (University Drive) from the city limit line at Custer Road (FM 2478) to a point 1410 feet west of Bois d’Arc Road.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has submitted a speed zone study to the City of McKinney for US 380 (University Drive) and has requested that the City of McKinney adopt an ordinance to revise the speed limit.
• The speed zone study conducted by TxDOT showed the 85th-percentile speed along US 380 ranged from 62 mph to 51 mph.
• TxDOT recommends the following speed limits (as shown on the attached exhibit):
o 55 mph along US 380 from the city limit line at Custer Road to 1410 feet west of Bois d’Arc, which is a reduction of 5 mph from the existing 60 mph speed limit.
o 55 mph from 1410 feet west of Bois d’Arc to 130 feet west of Skyline Drive, which is the existing speed limit.
o 45 mph from 130 feet west of Skyline Drive to 320 feet west of US 75, which is the existing speed limit.
o 40 mph from 320 feet west of US 75 and east of US 75, which is the existing speed limit.
• Many factors were considered in recommending a speed limit for the roadway including the 85th-percentile speed of the motorists and the intensity of the development adjacent to the roadway.
• The current TxDOT construction project on US 380 from Custer Road to Lake Forest Drive has an advisory speed limit of 45 mph.
• This project will widen US 380 to three lanes in each direction and will add a raised median with limited openings.
• After the construction project is complete in the summer of 2013, TxDOT will conduct another speed study to determine if any changes to the speed limit are needed.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• None
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A