Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 124-2022 adding and amending speed restrictions on Wilson Boulevard from forty miles per hour to thirty-five miles per hour.
FUNDING: Road Fund (100%).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Department of Transportation, Maintenance and Operations Division (Transportation) conducted a speed survey on Wilson Boulevard due to the County of El Dorado accepting a newly constructed segment of Wilson Boulevard into the County Maintained Mileage System.
Wilson Boulevard, segment 1 in the speed survey, currently displays a speed restriction between El Dorado Hills Boulevard and 400 feet south of Montridge Way of forty (40) miles per hour. The existing speed restriction is sanctioned by Resolution No. 234-2007. Field review and data indicate that the existing speed zone on Wilson Boulevard between El Dorado Hills Boulevard and 400 feet south of Montridge Way should remain unchanged. The reason centers on the fact that the newly measured values of the 85th percentile and the ten (10) mile per hour pace are still within the parameters of the existing speed limit. Therefore, the current postings should remain the same.
Wilson Boulevard, segment 2 in the speed survey, from 400 feet south of Montridge Way to Saratoga Way, is the segment that was newly constructed and accepted by the County of El Dorado. This segment is new with no collision history and provides zero access to County maintained roads and three (3) private roads. Field review and data indicate that the newly measured 85th percentile value was recorded at thirty-eight (38) miles per hour and justifies, in accordance with California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, a radar enforced forty (40) mile per hour speed zone. However, due to turn movements, sight distance, and increased volume as subdivisions are constructed and pedestrians, a further reduction of five (5) miles per hour to thirty-five (35) miles per hour is recommended.
Based on California Vehicle Code, Section 22358, which allows local authorities to establish speed limits based on an "Engineering and Traffic Survey," the West Slope Traffic Advisory Committee held a meeting on July 13, 2022, and voted unanimously to establish a thirty-five (35) miles per hour speed restriction on Wilson Boulevard from 400 feet south of Montridge Way to Saratoga Way.
The following is the final recommendation that was approved by the West Slope Traffic Advisory Committee:
DELETE:
Resolution No. 234-2007
"(fn) Wilson Boulevard (No. 255) forty (40) miles per hour from its intersection with El Dorado Hills Boulevard (No. 219) to its end."
ADD:
"(fn) Wilson Boulevard (No. 255) forty (40) miles per hour from El Dorado Hills Boulevard (No. 219) to a point 400 feet south of Montridge Way (No. 1026) and from that point south thirty-five (35) miles per hour to Saratoga Way (No. 217)."
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to agree with the West Slope Traffic Advisory Committee's decision and leave the newly constructed segment with the current speed restriction on Wilson Boulevard.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Traffic Advisory Committee and County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Installation of speed limit signs on Wilson Boulevard from Montridge Way to Saratoga Way is estimated at $1,600. Funding to complete the work is included in the Fiscal Year 2022-23 recommended budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk will obtain the Chair's signature on one (1) original of the Resolution.
2) The Clerk will forward one (1) copy of the Resolution to Transportation, Maintenance and Operations Division, attention Ashley Johnson.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure and Public Safety
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation