Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance to Modify the Speed Limit along Wattley Way from a Point 500 feet East of Airport Drive to Harry McKillop Boulevard (FM 546) within McKinney
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2E. Continuously Provide a High Level of Customer Service to our Citizens)
MEETING DATE: July 20, 2021
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/ Engineering
CONTACT: Robyn Root, P.E., P.T.O.E., Traffic Engineer
Thuan Huynh, P.E., Transportation Engineering Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the Ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This Ordinance amends Section 62-117 of the Code of Ordinances to reduce the speed limit of Wattley Way from a point 500 feet east of Airport Drive to Harry McKillop Hardin Boulevard (FM 546) to 45 mph.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Wattley Way is the old alignment of FM 546 and the posted speed limit was established by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Now that Wattley Way is a local City street, it has prompted the need to reevaluate the speed limit.
• Currently, the posted speed limit of Wattley Way from Industrial Boulevard to 500 feet east of Airport Drive (at the horizontal curve) is 40 mph yet increases to 55 mph from this location to Harry McKillop Boulevard (FM 546).
• When developing a recommendation for a speed zone along a corridor, the following are some of the factors that should be considered:
o The 85th percentile speed of free-flowing traffic.
o Roadway characteristics, grade alignment and sight distance.
o The design speed of the roadway.
o The established speed limit on adjacent sections of the same roadway.
o Roadside development and environment.
• In May 2021, a speed study was conducted along the corridor within the 55 mph speed zone of Wattley Way that resulted in an 85th percentile speed in the northbound direction of 53.7 mph and 45.8 in the southbound direction.
• Wattley Way is a two-lane concrete curb and gutter roadway north of Harry McKillop Boulevard but transitions to an asphalt roadway near Airport Drive with bar-ditches and no shoulder to Industrial Boulevard.
• The land use along the section of Wattley Way is mostly industrial but there are a few tracts of land that have remained undeveloped. The McKinney Airport property is located on the east side of Wattley Way.
• In consideration of the above factors, it is recommended that the speed limit for Wattley Way between a point 500 feet east of Airport Drive and Harry McKillop Boulevard be established at 45 mph.
• The speed limit of Wattley Way between Industrial Boulevard and a point 500 feet east of Airport Drive will remain unchanged at 40 mph.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• None
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A