The Turlock City Council will be considering amending speed limits on Fransil Lane, between W. Main St. and Fulkerth Rd., and Taylor Road, between N. Golden State Blvd. and Berkeley Avenue at its 7pm meeting on Tuesday night. The existing speed limit on Fransil Lane is currently 55 MPH, and is proposed to decrease to 50 MPH, while Taylor Road is proposed to increase from the existing 45 MPH to 55 MPH.
In 2006, the Council amended Turlock Municipal Code Title 4, Chapter 7, Article 14 regarding regulatory speed limits on all non-local streets within the city limits. Some streets previously listed in the ordinance had their speed limit changed, while a majority of existing streets saw no change.
Each Engineering & Traffic Survey follows standards as set forth by CalTrans for collecting, analyzing, and reporting survey results. The results of these surveys were compiled and recommendations were made in compliance with CalTrans a requirement, which requires the speed limit to be set at the 85th percentile.
On October 11th, 2011, the Council affirmed the validity of each previously adopted Survey, which recognized that the City met the legal requirements, thereby extending the validity of each Survey, and each applicable posted speed limit, for an additional two years.
Staff has since conducted the relevant Surveys, which supported the continuation of a 55 MPH speed limit for Fransil Lane, Fulkerth Road, and Washington Road. However, the City Engineer has cited the residential density on Fransil Lane and is recommending a reduction in speed to 50 MPH.
In addition, on August 20th, 2012, City Staff conducted multiple Surveys along Taylor Road, which resulted in a recommendation for a speed limit increase.
The expected fiscal impact, involving the purchase of materials for speed limit signs and painted legends, as well as Staff time for installation, will be paid through street maintenance funds, and no General Fund dollars will be used.
The Council could choose not to approve the proposed ordinance, however, City Staff does not recommend this alternative due to State Requirements pertaining to certain standards that must be followed when adopting speed zones.
To view the entire City Council Agenda for Tuesday’s meeting, please visit http://www.ci.turlock.ca.us/government/turlockcitycouncil/citycouncilmeetings/.
