COUNCIL COMMUNICATION

 

 

         DATE:

      05/08/2002

 

SUBJECT:  FINAL READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 2002-O-087

SETTING THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT ON THAT PORTION OF LOOP 20 WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF LAREDO, WEBB COUNTY, TEXAS, AS 50MPH FROM MILE POST 1.100 TO MILE POINT 7.008 AS DEFINED IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONTROL SECTION MAP 0086-14 TO BE IN EFFECT DURING RECONSTRUCTION OF LOOP 20.

 

 

   INITIATED BY:                                STAFF SOURCE:

   Larry Dovalina, City Manager              Roberto Murillo, P.E, Traffic Director

                                                                     

 

  PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION:  City Council approved introductory ordinance on 04-15-02.

 

 

 

 

BACKGROUND:

 

Graduated speed zone studies by the Texas Department of Transportation provided us with a speed zone strip map for Loop 20.  The study indicates that the new speed limit that shall govern for the roadway mile points shown in their map as control section map 0086-14 for Loop 20 shall be as follows:

 

50 MPH from mile point 1.100 to mile point 7.008

 

A map defining all of the above speed zone has been submitted by the Texas Department of Transportation with a request for approval by City Council for ordinance of these speed limits.                                                                                                                                     

The Texas Department of Transportation is requesting that an ordinance be passed.  The installation and/or removal of traffic signs will be the responsibility of the Texas Department of Transportation.

 

These speed limits changes to 50 MPH are being requested to be in effect during reconstruction for section of Loop 20 between McPherson Rd., and the entrance to the Airport which is presently underway.  The existing speed limits within this area are 55 MPH and 60 MPH.  This item was presented to the Transportation Traffic Safety Advisory Committee on March 27, 2002.

 

Another speed study will be conducted upon completion of the widening of Loop 20 to re-evaluate designation of speed limits.

 

 

 

 

FINANCIAL:  None.

             

 

 

RECOMMENDATION:  None.

 

STAFF:     Recommends that City Council                               approves this ordinance.

 

 

 

ORDINANCE  2002-O-087

                                                                                                                                                                 

 

SETTING THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT ON THAT PORTION OF LOOP 20 WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF LAREDO, WEBB COUNTY, TEXAS AS 50 MPH FROM MILE POINT 1.100 TO MILE POINT 7.008 AS DEFINED IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CONTROL SECTION MAP 0086-14 TO BE IN EFFECT DURING RECONSTRUCTION OF LOOP 20.

 

                WHEREAS, V.A.T.C.S., Texas Transportation Code 545.356(b) authorizes the City Council to alter the speed limits of any highway or street within the incorporated area of a City; and

               

                WHEREAS, state law requires that an engineering and traffic investigation serve as the basis for a city to alter a speed limit; and

 

                WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Transportation has undertaken a thorough traffic investigation of that portion of Loop 20 from mile point 1.10 to mile point 7.008 lying within the city limits of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, utilizing Texas State Department of Highways and Public Transportation procedures; and

 

                WHEREAS, a speed study and traffic accident examination of that portion of Loop 20 has been completed by the Texas Department of Transportation; and

 

                                WHEREAS,          the Texas Department of Transportation has recommended that the maximum speed limit on that portion of Loop 20 from mile point 1.100 to mile point 7.008 lying within the city limits of Laredo, Webb County, Texas, be altered in accordance with said study; and

 

                                WHEREAS, the city’s traffic engineer has reviewed and recommended the speed posting for Loop 20 from mile point 1.100 to mile point 7.008 as was recommended by the Texas Department of Transportation; and

 

                                WHEREAS, the Transportation & Traffic Safety Advisory Committee approved the Texas Department of Transportation’s recommendation to alter speed limits on that portion of Loop 20 from mile point 1.100 to mile point 7.008; and

                                WHEREAS, the Traffic Safety Division, after proper analysis, has determined that better traffic flow will result on these sections of Loop 20 between mile point 1.100 to mile point 7.008 and the interest and safety of the citizens of Laredo will be improved by the speed zoning; and

 

                                WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Laredo is of the same opinion.

 

                NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAREDO THAT:

 

AN ORDINANCE DESIGNATING VARIOUS SPEED ZONES FOR SECTION OF LOOP 20 FROM MILE POINT 1.100 TO MILE POINT 7.008.

 

 

SECTION 1:         That any other prior enacted ordinances regulation same be repealed and superceded.

 

SECTION 2:  That the maximum speed limits on the portion of Loop 20 from mile point 1.100 to mile point 7.008 lying within the City limits of Laredo shall be altered and posted as follows:

 

50 MPH from Mile point 1.100 to Mile point 7.008; and

 

SECTION 3:  This ordinance shall be published one time in an official newspaper in the City of Laredo; and

 

SECTION 4:  That this  Ordinance shall take effect at expiration of thirty (30) days after adoption, provided there has been publication as provided in Section 2.09 (D) of the Laredo City Charter, and shall supersede any prior ordinances for the sections described.

 

 

PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND APPROVED BY THE MAYOR ON THIS 15TH DAY OF APRIL 15, 2002.

 

 

ATTEST:

 

 

_________________________                                      _______________________

GUSTAVO GUEVARA, JR.                                              ELIZABETH G. FLORES

CITY SECRETARY                                                                             MAYOR

 

 

APPROVED AS TO FORM:

JAIME L. FLORES

CITY ATTORNEY

 

 

By: ______________________

ALLAN W. McGRAW

ASST. CITY ATTORNEY