HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated March 20, 1990 COUNCIL ACTION FORM
Item #
Date: March 20, 1990
SUBJECT: Lowering speed limits on 24th Street/R-50 from the Chicago
and Northwestern tracks west to 700 feet north of Northridge Parkway.
BACKGROUND:
Currently a 45 mile per hour (mph) speed limit is posted on R-50/24th
Street from 700' north of the Northridge Parkway to the Chicago & North-
western tracks east of Stange Road. A 30 mph speed limit zone is east of
the tracks on 24th Street. A lowered 40 mph speed limit zone is proposed
along a section starting from 700' north of Northridge Parkway and
extending south and east to Stange Road, and a lowered 35 mph zone is
proposed to extend from Stange Road east to the C&NW tracks.
Lowering speed limits is recommended due to the projected increase of
traffic volumes (et seq. , the increase of conflicts) generated from the
Northridge Subdivision development. Generated traffic volumes from this
subdivision will increase traffic volumes on 24th Street west of Stange
Road from 2,200 to 3,200 vehicles per day. Motorists should have lowered
speeds on R-50/24th Street in this area to react to possible entering and
exiting vehicles into this subdivision. Lowered vehicular speed will also
reduce both the frequency and severity of accidents along this route.
Lowering these speed limits will not cause a compliance problem for motor-
ists. Speed studies indicate that these recommended speed limits correlate
closely with current motorists speeds. Average speeds are highest at 53
mph 2,000 feet north of the Northridge Parkway intersection. Speeds are
then lowered to approximately 43 mph south and east of this intersection
along R-50/24th Street to the railroad tracks.
These lowered speed limits also correlate closely with the roadway design
on R-50/24th Street. Roadway curves and left turn lane tapers west of
Stange Road are designed for motorists traveling at speeds of 40 mph.
The Police Department has been contacted and they have no objections with
this change of speed limit and its subsequent enforcement. County
officials have also been contacted and agree with this proposal. County
Road R-50/24th Street is a joint jurisdictional roadway and posted speed
limits must coincide on both sides of the road. Attached is a letter of
concurrence from the County Engineer.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the change of speed limit on R-50/24th Street to a lowered
40 mph speed limit zone along a section starting from 700' north of
Northridge Parkway and extending east to Stange Road, and to a
` CAF - 24th/R-50 Speed
March 20, 1990
Page 2
lowered 35 mph zone along a section starting from Stange Road and
extending east to the C&NW tracks. And direct the City Attorney to
prepare an ordinance with the first reading to be on the April loth
agenda.
2. Deny the request.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council adopt alter-
native number 1 above, thereby approving the change of speed limit on
R-50/24th Street to a lowered 40 mph speed limit zone along a section
starting from 700' north of Northridge Parkway and extending east to
Stange Road, and to a lowered 35 mph zone along a section starting from
Stange Road and extending east to the C&NW tracks. And direct the City
Attorney to prepare an ordinance with the first reading to be on the April
loth agenda.
COUNCIL ACTION
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Proposed Speed Limit
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R-50 Road/ 24th Street
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( EXISTING 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT)
• PROPOSED 35 MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE
EXISTING 45 MPH SPEED LIMIT)
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30 MPH SPEED LIMIT ZONE
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