Sponsor: Public Works
Title
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Speed Zone Study on Various Ramsey County Roads
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Recommendation
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1. Request the Minnesota Department of Transportation to conduct a speed zone study on portions of McKnight Road, Victoria Street, Edgerton Street, and New Brighton Road.
2. Authorize Ramsey County Public Works to install speed limit signs based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s study results.
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County Public Works has engaged the Ramsey County Board on how to approach speed limits in workshops conducted on October 26, 2021, and April 12, 2022. A recommendation from the April 12 workshop was to identify specific county road corridors to complete an official speed study through the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to determine if the existing speed limits are appropriate. The selected corridors recommended for a study were derived from a variety of parameters, including:
• Speed limits of 40 mph or higher.
• Roads with predominately residential development on both sides of the roadway.
• Roadways with narrow shoulders and lack pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
• Corridors with multiple speed limit changes.
All the recommended corridors meet multiple conditions.
The county roads recommended for a speed study investigation are:
1. McKnight Road from Carver Ave to County Road C (~8.25 miles)
2. Victoria Road from County Road B to County Road F (~3.75 miles)
3. Edgerton Road from County Road B to Centerville Road (~2.5 miles)
4. New Brighton Road from County Road E to County Road E2 (~0.75 miles)
MnDOT requires a Ramsey County Board resolution as the formal request and authorization to conduct a speed study. It may take 12 months or longer before the study results are known; Public Works intends to work closely with MnDOT to try to expedite the process.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
While the corridors recommended for study are not located in racially diverse neighborhoods, various studies have identified an overrepresentation of bicyclists and pedestrians from communities of color. Each of the recommended corridors lacks adequate facilities for non-motorized transportation and is part of the basis for requesting an evaluation by MnDOT to establish a slower speed limit to mitigate the risks associated with non-motorized users.
Many diverse neighborhoods along county roads have lower speed limits than those being recommended. An alternative evaluation method will be used to determine if modifications to those posted speed limits are feasible.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Public Works routinely receives calls from residents and users of the identified corridors requesting lower speed limits. While there was no official community participation in this request, the frequency of concerns expressed to Public Works from residents and resulting site investigations substantiate the need for a fresh look at these corridors to determine an appropriate speed limit.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
A minimal capital outlay will result if a different speed limit is recommended. These costs can be incorporated into the existing Public Works budget and no additional funding is being requested because of this request.
Last Previous Action
On April 12, 2022, Public Works presented at a board workshop on Speed Limits on County Roads.
Attachments
1. Location Map