Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending Section 62-106 of the Code of Ordinances to Concur with the Texas Transportation Commission which Established the Speed Limit on the Central Expressway (US 75) Main Lanes and Frontage Roads
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
MEETING DATE: August 1, 2016
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Robyn Root, P.E., P.T.O.E., Traffic Engineer
Gary Graham, P.E., P.T.O.E., Traffic and CIP Engineering Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of the Ordinance.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This Ordinance amends Section 62-106 of the Code of Ordinances for the Central Expressway (US 75) Main Lanes and Frontage Roads to concur with the Texas Transportation Commission Minute Order which established the speed limit at 50 mph on the US 75 Frontage Roads and 70 mph on the Main Lanes of US 75.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) conducted speed zone studies along the newly reconstructed Central Expressway (US 75) corridor throughout McKinney to evaluate the speed limits and make any adjustments if needed.
• 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 section of the same roadway.
o The adjacent lanes uses along the same roadway.
• Using the above factors, TxDOT Staff proposed a speed limit on the Main Lanes of Central Expressway (US 75) of 70 mph and 50 mph on the Central Expressway (US 75) Frontage Roads.
• The boundary of this speed limit is the southern city limit to Laud Howell Parkway.
• On June 30, 2016, the Texas Transportation Commission took action per the recommendation of TxDOT Staff establishing the speed limit on both the Central Expressway Main Lanes and Frontage Roads from the southern city limit to Laud Howell Parkway.
• Once approved, City Staff will request TxDOT to proceed with the installation of the new speed limit signs along the Central Expressway (US 75) corridor.
• The speed limit along the Central Expressway (US 75) corridor from Laud Howell Parkway to the northern city limit will be evaluated with the portion of Central Expressway (US 75) corridor north of Laud Howell Parkway to the County line. Once construction is completed and a speed limit recommendation is provided by TxDOT Staff, City Staff will revise this Ordinance to include the missing portion of the Central Expressway (US 75) corridor within the City of McKinney.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• No funds will be expended for this item. The Texas Department of Transportation will install all necessary signage along both the Central Expressway (US 75) Main Lanes and Frontage Roads.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A