Local Speed Limit Evaluation

Staff has developed a plan to change speed limits as approved by City Council at their February 17 meeting. Under this plan, most local streets would be reduced to 25 miles per hour with higher speed limits on busier streets. This action supports the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, the Living Streets Plan, the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan and the Active Routes to School Plan.

Staff will present the implementation plan to City Council at their August 4 meeting along with first reading of Ordinance 2021-09, which will give the City Engineer the authority to establish speed limits on local streets in accordance with the provisions of Minn. Stat. § 169.14.

A quick summary of what implementation will include:

1. Approximately 250 traffic control signs will need to be replaced or added; if approved, this work is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
2. Staff does not recommend additional enforcement or police resources as part of implementation.
3. The City will launch the “Drive 25” campaign through a variety of communication channels to educate the public on the new speed limits.
4. Staff will evaluate traffic and crash data two years before and after implementation and will prepare additional recommendations regarding enforcement, communication and infrastructure.
5. Total costs for implementation are estimated at $10,000 and will be funded by the Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety (PACS) Fund.

The full implementation plan and supporting materials are available in the Document library of this page. This initiative is part of the City’s comprehensive approach to improve safety and mobility for all modes of transportation, which will also require roadway redesign and new pedestrian, cyclist and transit infrastructure.

At the February 17 City Council meeting, staff presented the public engagement report for the local speed limit evaluation. Council approved staff's recommended approach for lowering speed limits citywide, which would set most local streets to 25 mph and a few high-traffic streets would remain at 30 mph. A map of the proposed speed limits is shown below and in the Document library on the right. Council also authorized staff to develop an implementation plan. This plan will include signage requirements, enforcement strategies and public education strategies. Staff will present the implementation plan to Council later this year.

Thanks to all who submitted feedback on the draft recommendation for local speed limits. The draft public engagement report and supporting appendices are available under the Document library.

Considering all the public input, staff recommends proceeding with implementation of 25-mph default speed limits as original presented (see Proposed Speed Limits in Appendix C). Uniform citywide speed limits provide consistent expectations about speed, which are easier for drivers to follow.

The Transportation Commission will review and comment on the draft report at their regular meeting Thursday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. Following this meeting, staff will ask City Council to approve the recommendation in January 2021 and authorize development of an implementation plan.

The public comment period is now closed. Thanks to all who have shared their questions and comments. Staff will consider all of the feedback that has been received to prepare a final recommendation on local speed limits. The final report will be available on this website prior to the December 17 Transportation Commission meeting.

Thanks to all who have already shared their questions and comments on the draft recommendation for local speed limits. As a reminder, the public comment period will be open through Friday, October 30. Comments can be provided in two ways:

• Use the Map tool to view an interactive map and place comment pins on specific streets.
• Use the Feedback Form tool to submit general comments.

Staff will include all of the submitted comments in the final report to City Council, which will discuss how public input influenced the recommendation.

Staff is seeking public comments on the draft recommendation for local speed limits. Maps of existing and proposed speed limits are available in the Document library on the right.

Comments can be provided in two ways:

• Use the Map tool to view an interactive map and place comment pins on specific streets.
• Use the Feedback Form tool to submit general comments.

The comment period will be open through Friday, October 30. Staff will include all of the submitted comments in the final report to City Council, which will discuss how public input influenced the recommendation.