Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Joint Resolution with the Town of Prosper Requesting the Lowering of the Speed Limit along Custer Road North of US 380 to FM 1461
Summary
MEETING DATE: January 15, 2015
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Gary Graham, PE, PTOE, Transportation Engineering Manager
Jack Carr, PE, Director of Engineering
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Approval of the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· This is a Joint Resolution with the Town of Prosper requesting that TxDOT lower the speed on FM 2478 (Custer Road) from US 380 to FM 1461.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
· Custer Road between US 380 and FM 1461 is not currently located within the McKinney or Prosper city limits; therefore, the speed limit for that section is set by the Texas Transportation Commission.
· The Texas Transportation Commission, at their December 13, 2012 meeting, set the speed limit for Custer Road from US 380 to FM 1461 at 55 mph. This is a reduction of 5 mph from the previous 60 mph speed limit.
· TxDOT's procedures for establishing speed limits allows for the posted speed limit to be reduced by as much as 10 mph based on sound and generally accepted engineering judgment that incudes consideration of the following factors:
o horizontal and vertical curves
o hidden driveways and other developments
o crash history
o lack of striped or improved shoulders
· Section 545.3535 of the Texas Transportation Code allows for the commissioners court of a county by resolution to request the Texas Transportation Commission to determine and declare a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit that is lower than a speed limit established by an engineering study on any part of a farm-to-market or a ranch-to-market road of the highway system that is located in that county and is without improved shoulders.
· Section 545.3535 also states that the commission shall give consideration to local public opinion and may determine and declare a lower speed limit on any part of the road without an engineering and traffic investigation, but the commission must use sound and generally accepted traffic engineering practices in determining and declaring the lower speed limit.
· City staff has been in contact with Collin County staff regarding the Collin County Commissioners Court passing a resolution to declare 50 mph as the reasonable and safe prima facie speed.
· The speed limit for Custer Road south of US 380 to the Sam Rayburn Tollway has been set by the governing agencies to 50 mph.
· The Town of Prosper passed the Joint Resolution at their January 8, 2013, Town Meeting.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
· None
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
· N/A