Title
Ordinance - Public Hearing and Third and Final Reading of an Ordinance Changing the Speed Limit on Sections of National Parkway, Seeton Road, US Hwy 287 and Adding/Modifying Three School Zones
Requested Action
Adoption of the Ordinance
Recommendation
Approval of the speed limit changes and addition/modification of three school zones
Description/History
The Public Works Department annually conducts speed studies on newly constructed roadways and existing roadways to verify that the posted speed limits safely meet the speed that 85% of the motorists are driving. In addition, the Public Works Department, along with the Mansfield Independent School District Police Department, review school zone locations annually to determine if existing zones are still valid or if new school zones are needed. Based upon studies and coordination with MISD PD and Mansfield PD, the following are recommended changes to Chapter 73 of the Traffic Code of Mansfield.
Speed Limit Changes:
- Increase the speed limit on National Parkway from S. Holland Road to Shelter Point Court from 30 MPH to 40 MPH
- Increase the speed limit on Seeton Road from Ashbury Lane to S. Holland Road from 30 MPH to 40 MPH
- Change the speed limit ordinance for US Hwy 287 from the Johnson County line to the south City Limit line from 70 MPH to 65 MPH
School Zone Changes:
- Add a school zone on Waterford Glen Drive from S. Holland Road to 200 feet east of Highpoint Lane
- Extend the school zone on Wood River Drive by an additional 150 feet to the south
- Decrease the school zone on S. Main Street near Pleasant Ridge Road from approximately 1,700 feet long to approximately 1,000 feet
Justification
Several speed limit studies have been conducted by the Public Works Department and the Mansfield Police Department on National Parkway from S. Holland Road to Shelter Point Court and Seeton Road from Ashbury Lane to S. Holland Road. The results of these stidues indicate the 85 percentile speed is between 40 and 45 MPH. On National Parkway only 7% of the drivers are driving at or below the 30 MPH posted speed limit. On Seeton Road only 35% of the drivers are driving at or below the 30 MPH posted speed limit.
TxDOT supports the proposed change from 70 MPH to 65 MPH for US Hwy 287 from the Johnson County line to the south City Limits.
The school zone changes are a result of working with the MISD and Mansfield Police Departments to increase safety around schools. Traffic on Waterford Glen Drive has increased due to the extension of the roadway into the Bower Ranch Subdivision, thus a school zone in front of the elementary school is now warranted.
The extension of Wood River Drive school zone is a result of a request from Mansfield PD to calm traffic near the Wood River Drive/Piedmont intersection during school times.
The current Main Street school zone is over a quarter mile long with the only pedestrian crossing at the Main Street/Pleasant Ridge intersection. Due to the excessive distance many motorists do not remember they are still in a school zone and exceed the posted school speed limit. Tte decrease in the school zone distance should decrease the violations without compromising safety.
The proposed changes are supported by the MISD and Mansfield Police Departments.
The Public Works Director will be in attendance at the meeting to answer Council's questions.
Funding Source
N/A
Prepared By
David Boski, P.E.
Asst. Director of Public Works - Transportation
(817) 276-4208