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Speed Limit Policy

The State Legislature passed a law in 2019 allowing local communities to set speed limits on city-owned roadways once they have approved a policy that provides a framework for addressing speed limits. Previously, all speed limits were set by the State, either by statute or by analyzing the travel speeds with a speed study.

In December 2020, the City Council approved a speed limit policy for city-owned Class I Collector and Minor Arterial roads. These are the larger city-owned roads with heavier traffic. City staff subsequently conducted dozens of speed studies to help determine appropriate speed limits. Below is an overview of the policy:

  • Approximately 95% of city-owned roads will not have a speed limit change.
  • Maintain speed limit of 30 mph on local and Class II Collector Roads.
  • Use the 50% percentile speed, safety, and other factors outlined in policy for Class I Collector Roads and Minor Arterial Roads.
  • City Engineer will be designated as the authority to set the speed limits on roadways. Engineering staff will be conducting further analyses through June 2021 to determine the actual traffic speeds to be used by the City Engineer to set appropriate speed limits.
  • Residents can still petition the City Council to review the City Engineer’s decision and present extenuating circumstances for a different speed limit. A 2/3rds vote by Council will be needed to consider the setting of a new speed limit.
  • If a road is petitioned by residents and not approved by Council, the action cannot be voted again for 2 years unless there is a change to the characteristics of the road.
  • July 1, 2021 implementation date to allow for outreach and changing of signs.

Staff presented the resulting speed limit changes to the Council in June 2021. There are eight roadway segments slated for speed limit decreases and eight scheduled for limit increases. The new changes will include reduced school speed limits along Noble Avenue and Brookdale Drive. All changes are expected to be implemented between July and September this year.  Residents near a roadway planned for a speed limit change will be notified prior to the change.

The policy includes a review of the city’s recent crash and speed history, national speed limit guidance and studies, and any changes must be effectively communicated to the public.  The Community Long-Range Improvement Commission advises the City Council on this issue. The policy draft was presented to the City Council in October for discussion. 

Updates will be posted on this page as more details are confirmed. As with any policy change, we encourage residents to contact the Mayor and their Council Members to share their opinions.

Timeline

August 2021

  • Signs on roads receiving a speed limit change will begin to be swapped out by maintenance crews. Residents in surrounding areas will be notified of the changes a week prior to the change taking place.

August 2-6

  • Noble Avenue (85th Avenue to Brooklyn Center border) increasing from 30 mph to 35 mph.
  • Oxbow Creek Drive (Winnetka Ave to Xylon Ave) decreasing from 45 mph to 40 mph.

August 9-13

  • Xerxes Avenue (74th Avenue to 85th Avenue) increasing from 30 mph to 35 mph.
  • Xylon Avenue (85th Avenue to 89th Avenue) decreasing from 40 mph to 35 mph.

August 16-20

  • 63rd Avenue (Highway 169 to Brooklyn Center Border) increasing from 30 mph to 35 mph.
  • Wyoming Avenue (85th Avenue to 93rd Avenue) decreasing from 40 mph to 35 mph.

August 23-27

  • Regent Avenue (93rd Avenue to 101st Avenue) decreasing from 45 mph to 40 mph.
  • Brookdale Drive (Zane Avenue to West River Road) increasing from 30 mph to 35 mph.

August 3-September 3

  • 101st Avenue (Zane Avenue to Noble Parkway) decreasing from 45 mph to 40 mph.
  • West River Road (Brookdale Drive to Russell Ave) increasing from 30 mph to 35 mph.

September 7-10

  • Humboldt Avenue (Highway 252 to 73rd Avenue) increasing from 30 mph to 35 mph.
  • Boone Avenue (I-94 to Brooklyn Boulevard) decreasing from 45 mph to 40 mph.

July 2021

  • Approved speed limit policy takes effect on city-owned roads.

June 14, 2021

  • Staff presented speed limit changes to City Council.
  • There are eight roadway segments slated for speed limit decreases and eight scheduled for limit increases.
  • The new changes will include reduced school speed limits along Noble Avenue and Brookdale Drive.
  • All changes are expected to be implemented over the July-September time period. Residents in the area of a roadway planned for a speed limit change will be notified prior to the change.

February 2021

  • Following the analysis, the speed limit on 93rd Avenue between Zane Avenue and Noble Parkway will be updated in accordance with the city’s speed limit policy beginning on on Wednesday, February 17. Crews will begin replacing signs in the area to indicate the new posted limit of 35 miles per hour. All speed limit signs will be replaced by Thursday, February 18.

January 2021

  • Following analysis, the speed limit was updated on 101st Avenue N between Winnetka Avenue N and Jefferson Highway N. Crews have replaced signs to indicate the new posted limit of 40 mph.

December 2020

  • City staff will begin to conduct further analysis to determine the actual speed limits. Staff will then perform public outreach to inform residents of any changes and share updates.

December 14, 2020

October 8, 2020

October 5, 2020

August 17, 2020