AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2018-53, on the first of two readings, increasing the speed limit from 30 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour along the section of Hunter Road between Wonder World Drive (RM 12) and West San Antonio Street; authorizing the installation of signs and traffic control devices reflecting such new speed limit; directing that the traffic register maintained under Section 82.067 of the San Marcos City Code be amended to reflect such new speed limit; and, including procedural provisions.
Body
Meeting date: 12/4/2018
Department: Public Services - Transportation (Tom Taggart)
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: $300.00
Account Number: 10006147.53230 (General Fund)
Funds Available: $61,507.82
Account Name: Signs-Traffic
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: August 2018, City Council approved 30 mph speed limit for sections of Hopkins Street and Hunter Road located between Guadalupe Street (Loop 82) and Wonder World Drive (RM 12
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Goal #5 Maintain & Improve City's Infrastructure
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☒ Transportation - Safe, Well coordinated transportation system implemented in an environmentally sensitive manner
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Vision San Marcos - A River Runs Through Us
Background Information:
In 2017, TxDOT removed portions of Hopkins Street and Hunter Road from Guadalupe Street (Lp 82) to Wonder World Drive (RM 12) from the state highway system and transferred control, jurisdiction, and maintenance to the City of San Marcos.
Pursuant to Texas Transportation Code Sec. 545.352, the prima facie speed limit for any street in an urban district is 30 mph. In August 2018, City Council approved a speed limit change reverting the speed limit to 30 mph to support the bike and pedestrian activity generated by the historical, residential, restaurant, and retail properties that characterize the area.
In November, City staff conducted speed studies to monitor the effects of the new speed limit after citizen complaints. The speed study found the 85th-percentile speed, commonly referred to as actual speeds, to be higher than the posted speeds. Studies have shown that posted speed limits set within 5 mph of the 85th-percentile speeds result in the least amount of accidents.
Based on the speed study results, city staff recommends that the speed limit for Hunter Road between Wonder World Drive and W. San Antonio Street be increased from 30 mph to 35 mph in order for the posted speed to be within 5 mph of the 85th-percentile speed.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
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Alternatives:
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Recommendation:
Increase Hunter Road speed limit between Wonder World Drive and W. San Antonio St. to 35 mph.