AGENDA #4e
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TO: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
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FROM: |
George Small, P.E., Engineering Director |
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Kumar Neppalli, Engineering Services Manager |
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SUBJECT: |
Approval of 45 MPH Speed Limit on US 15/501 between Culbreth Road and Town Limits |
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DATE: |
February 26, 2007 |
The attached ordinance would establish 45 mph speed limit on US 15/501 from Culbreth Road southward to the Town limits. Please see the area map provided in Attachment 1.
We recommend that the Council enact the attached ordinance.
Last year, the State completed the widening of US 15/501 between Culbreth Road and southward to Town limits. The widening includes a four lane section with median and curb/gutter. The State requested that the Town establish 45 mph speed limit on this section of US 15/501, and sent us the attached letter and Ordinance (Attachment 2).
US 15/501 is classified as a “major thoroughfare” on the Durham-Chapel Hill Thoroughfare Plan, and is identified as an “arterial street” under the Town’s functional street classification system. The Police Department regularly patrols this section of US 15/501 for speed limit enforcement. We were informed by the patrol officers that speeding violations are common on this section of US 15/501.
The existing speed limit is 45 mph within the old Town limits near Southern Village, and the enactment of the attached ordinance is required due to the change in the Town limits.
The roadway design and limited number of intersections/driveways on US 15/501 near this area create conditions where drivers feel comfortable traveling at 45 mph speed limit. The 45 mph speed limit recommended is consistent with the posted speed limit on Fordham Boulevard.
We recommend that the Council enact the attached ordinance that would establish 45 mph speed limit on US 15/501 from Culbreth Road southward to the Town limits.
