Title
Chief Administrative Office and Community Development Agency, Transportation Division, recommending the Board consider responding to Caltrans notifications of changes to speed limits on State Highways 193 and 49 within the County with the following:
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter of opposition to Caltrans' District 3 Supervisor (Attachment 2A); and
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign a letter addressed to State Assemblymember Frank Bigelow and Senator Ted Gaines to revise State Law requiring Caltrans to study and adopt speed limit revisions in Rural Counties (Attachments 2B and 2C).
FUNDING: N/A
Body
Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost
There is no change to Fiscal Impact or change to Net County Cost associated with this action.
Background
At the February 10, 2015 meeting the Board received notice of Caltrans' intent to raise speed limits of certain section of State Highways 193 and 49 in the Coloma, Cool, Georgetown and Kelsey areas. These speed increases are based on a prescribed formula that Caltrans utilizes where a speed study is conducted as required within a specific time frame. The study will result in adjustments to speed limits based on setting the new limit at 85 percent of the speeds noted in the study, rounded up or down to the nearest 5 mph (unless no change is necessary).
The Board had been requested to provide direction on responding to previously mentioned and future Caltrans notifications of changes to speed limits on State Highways; however there were significant concerns relating to the current proposed increases on State Highways 193 and 49. As such, the Board gave direction to write a letter of opposition regarding the speed limit increases to Caltrans District 3, and a letter to State Legislators (Senator Gaines and Assemblymember Bigelow) to request revising State Law for rural counties requiring Caltrans to study and subsequently adjust speed limits.
Caltrans' Letter and Engineering and Traffic Surveys are attached as Attachments A through D. Maps showing the area of change corresponding to each Caltrans letter are attached as items E through H.
Areas with proposed speed limit changes are bolded. The four areas reviewed and with changes are:
· Coloma - Highway 49
o PM* limits 22.82 - 23.48; Existing speed 25 mph; Proposed speed 30 mph
o PM limits 23.48 - 23.99; Existing speed 35 mph; Proposed speed 40 mph
o PM limits 23.99 - 24.60; Existing speed 45 mph; Proposed speed 45 mph
· Cool - Highway 49
o Eliminate the speed zone south of the red flashing signal at PM 34.46
o Increase the posted speed from 40 mph to 45 mph north of the red flashing signal from PM 34.46 to PM 34.92
· Georgetown - Highway 193
o PM limits 11.74 - 12.32; Existing speed 45; Proposed speed 45 mph
o PM limits 12.32 - 12.54; Existing speed 30; Proposed speed 45 mph
o PM limits 12.54 - 12.78; Existing speed 30; Proposed speed 30 mph
o PM limits 12.78 - 13.04; Existing speed 45; Proposed speed 45 mph
· Kelsey - Highway 193
o PM limits 19.93 - 20.52; Existing speed 45; Proposed speed 55 mph
o PM limits 20.52 - 21.18; Existing speed 45; Proposed speed 45 mph
Reason for Recommendation
Significant concerns have been stressed regarding Caltrans intent to raise speed limits in the areas identified above. These concerns predominantly hinge on the safety and wellbeing of children, pedestrians, bicyclists, Marshall Gold Discovery State Park (Park) visitors, commuters, business owners, home owners, and any person traversing these highways regardless of their mode of travel. Other concerns include inconsistencies with the Park's General Plan and a threat to historic buildings. Additionally, an opposition email and corresponding letter of disagreement from Park Superintendent Jeremy McReynolds that highlights significant concerns from the State Park's perspective has been included as a public comment attachment .
While Caltrans conducts speed studies and therefore sets speed limits through prescribed methodology, it appears that this methodology does not include other factors of significant importance (i.e. school children and pedestrian safety) that should be considered. As such, for consideration are letters as follows; to the local (District 3) Caltrans Supervisor in opposition of the speed limit increased in the four areas identified above; and, to Senator Gaines and Assemblymember Bigelow requesting revisions to State Law for rural areas requiring Caltrans to study and subsequently adjust speed limits.
Clerk of the Board Follow Up Actions
1) Clerk to obtain the Board Chair's signature on the three attached letters; and
2) Clerk to mail copies of the signed letters to the addressed parties.
Contact
Bard R. Lower, Transportation Division Director
Community Development Agency
Craig Schmollinger, Principal Administrative Analyst
Chief Administrative Office