Agenda - Public Works Committee - 04/18/2018

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Public Works Committee 5. 2. Meeting Date: 04/18/2018 By: Bruce Westby, Engineering/Public Works Title: Consider Recommendation to City Council Authorizing Speed Study on Bunker Lake Boulevard Purpose/Background: Purpose: The purpose of this case is to consider providing a recommendation to the City Council to authorize a Speed Study on Bunker Lake Boulevard/CSAH 116 between Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 and Sunfish Lake Boulevard/CSAH 57. Background: Staff received a request from a developer to reduce the speed limit on Bunker Lake Boulevard/CASH 116 from 55 mph to 45 mph, on the north side of The COR. Recent development of the "triangle" and "U-shape" parcels in Ramsey Town Center 8th Addition added 26 new single-family homes immediately north of this segment of Bunker Lake Boulevard. The developer of the "U-shape" parcel, which includes 12 of the 26 single-family lots, feels the posted speed of 55 mph presents an immediate danger to current and future residents of these homes. The City of Ramsey owns and operates Bunker Lake Boulevard west of Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83. Anoka County owns and operates Bunker Lake Boulevard/CSAH 116 between Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 and the east City limits. Posted speeds are currently 40 mph west of Armstrong Boulevard, 55 mph between Armstrong Boulevard/CSAH 83 and Sunfish Lake Boulevard/CSAH 57, and 50 mph east of Sunfish Lake Boulevard. Minnesota Statute 169.14 establishes statutory speed limits on most typical roadways under ideal conditions. All other speed limits are set by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) based upon an engineering and traffic investigation (speed study) in which the following factors are considered: • Road type and condition • Location and type of access points (intersections, entrances, etc.) • Sufficient length of roadway (1/4 mile minimum) • Existing traffic control devices (sign, signals, etc.) • Crash history traffic volume sight distances (curve, hill, etc.) • Test drive results The most common speed limits observed throughout Minnesota are: • 10 mph in alleys • 30 mph on streets in urban districts • 55 mph on other roads • 65 mph on expressways • 65 mph on urban interstate highways • 70 mph on rural interstate highways If speed limits are not posted, these are to be considered the default speed limits. Local road authorities (cities, townships, and counties) can determine advisory speeds for local roads and post the roads with advisory speed signs without authorization from the MnDOT Commissioner.