Adopt Resolution #25-009 Authorizing Speed Study Request for Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83 between Highway 10 and Bunker Lake Boulevard / CSAH 116

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #25-009 authorizing a speed study request for Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83 between Highway 10 and Bunker Lake Boulevard / CSAH 116. 

Background:
While preparing development proposals for properties abutting Anoka County highways, developers often request access onto County highways to help improve access to the sites. However, due to Anoka County access spacing requirements and the higher speed limits posted on County highways, most such access requests are denied by Anoka County.
 
The regular City Council agenda includes a separate case requesting Council approval of a Purchase Agreement and Right of Re-Entry Agreement for the sale of part of Outlot D, Waterfront Village, which is located east of Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83 and north of Sunwood Drive.  See attached plat.  As referenced in the separate case, the developer is proposing an access onto Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83, which must first be approved by Anoka County.  City staff have discussed potential access options onto Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83 with Anoka County staff and while it appears the County may allow access onto this segment of Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83, the access location and configuration may vary based on the posted speed limit, with a lower posted speed potentially allowing greater access flexibility.  Anoka County staff reviewed available speed and crash data for this segment of Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83 and feel a lower posted speed limit may be warranted and therefore support a speed study request.
 
Posted speeds (black on white signs) on Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83 are currently 55 mph between Highway 10 and Bunker Lake Boulevard / CSAH 116.  Advisory speeds (black on yellow signs) are posted at 40 mph between Highway 10 and Sunwood Drive / 147th Avenue due to the horizontal and vertical curvature of the highway.
 
Minnesota Statute 169.14 establishes statutory speed limits on most typical roadways under ideal conditions. All other speed limits are set by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) based upon an engineering and traffic investigation (speed study) in which the following factors are considered:

• Road type and condition
• Location and type of access points (intersections, entrances, etc.)
• Sufficient length of roadway (1/4 mile minimum)
• Existing traffic control devices (sign, signals, etc.)
• Crash history, traffic volume, sight distances (curves, hills, etc.)
• Travel speed samples
• Test drive results

Unless otherwise posted, statutory (enforceable) speed limits observed throughout Minnesota are:

• 10 mph in alleys
• 30 mph on streets in urban districts
• 55 mph on other roads
• 65 mph on expressways
• 65 mph on urban interstate highways
• 70 mph on rural interstate highways

 
Local authorities (cities, townships, and counties) can post advisory speeds for local roads without authorization from the MnDOT Commissioner.  Local road authorities can also pass a resolution requesting a speed study investigation by MnDOT. The local road authority that owns and operates the road segment to be studied is responsible to submit the request to MNDOT.  Based upon the study results, which can take a year or more to receive, MnDOT may authorize the local road authority to post new speed limits.
 
It is important to understand that speed study results may determine that the speed limit should be higher than the existing posted speed limit, which may be contrary to the desired outcome. However, in this instance the existing posted speed limit is 55 mph, which is the maximum speed limit defined for this type of road per Minnesota Statute 169.14.

More information regarding speed limits is available on MnDOT’s web site at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/speed/index.html.   

Notifications are not required for this case.  

City and County staff agree there is no risk in requesting this speed study since the posted speed limit is 55 mph, which is the maximum speed limit defined for this type of road per Minnesota Statute 169.14.

Anoka County owns and operates this segment of Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83 so the City Council must approve submitting a speed study request to Anoka County, then the County Board must approve moving the request forward to MnDOT.   

No direct costs will be incurred by the City as a result of this request.  If the speed study reveals a different posted speed limit is warranted, Anoka County will remove the old speed limit signs and install new speed limit signs.   

Staff recommend approving the speed study request since the separate case on tonight’s Council agenda includes a contingency for Anoka County approval of an access (turn lane) off Armstrong Boulevard, and since speed studies can take a year or more to complete. Anoka County staff would then request approval to submit the speed study request to MnDOT at the next available Anoka County Board meeting.  

Motion to adopt Resolution #25-009 authorizing a speed study request for Armstrong Boulevard / CSAH 83 between Highway 10 and Bunker Lake Boulevard / CSAH 116.