DEPARTMENT: Transportation
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Establish And Install School Zone Speed Limits Along County Road 4 In West St. Paul In Proximity To Heritage E-STEM Magnet School
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize the establishment and installation of school zone speed limits on a segment of County Road 4 (Butler Avenue) near Heritage E-STEM Magnet School in West St. Paul.
SUMMARY
To provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County designs and operates traffic control in accordance with the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD) per adopted County policy. Several infrastructure, education, and law enforcement tools have been implemented in school areas to enhance safety for students walking to school. The school zone speed limit is a part-time speed limit in effect when children are present, going to, or leaving school during opening or closing hours and school recess periods. The school speed limit shall not be lower than 15 miles per hour (mph) and shall not be more than 30 mph below the established speed limit. However, research has shown that effective school zone speed limits should only be 10 to 15 mph less than the established speed to maximize driver compliance and safety.
Minn. Stat. § 169.14 Subd. 5a enables local authorities to establish speed limits within a school zone of a public or non-public school upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation as prescribed by the Commissioner of Transportation. The prescribed engineering investigation for the establishment of a legal school speed zone is set forth in the MMUTCD, Chapter 7E, Section 7E.1, “A Guide to Establishing Speed Limits in School Zones”.
Heritage E-STEM Magnet School (within School District 197) is located on County Road 4 (Butler Avenue). The County Road separates the school and athletic fields, and has a speed limit of 35 mph. A mid-block crossing connects these and serves as an access for students walking to the school. School District 197 staff expressed concern for compliance with the speed limits on the roadway segment adjacent to the school and crossing safety. To improve crossing safety, in 2016, the County constructed a mid-block curb extension crossing enhancement about 150 feet east of Bidwell Street. Dakota County completed a School Travel Safety Assessment in Spring 2021 in coordination with the City and school district. The assessment identified the crossing along Butler Avenue, east of Bidwell Street, to serve as a key crossing. The school’s Routes Plan also supports this. Adult crossing guards are at this location before and after school.
A school zone speed limit engineering evaluation was conducted in March 2024. Based on study data and discussions with school district and City staff, a school zone of 25 mph is appropriate. Flashing school zone speed limit signs will be installed. They will be in effect during school arrival and dismissal times, 300 feet east and west of the mid-block crossing. These efforts will be supplemented with local speed enforcement measures.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization of a school zone speed limit of 25 mph along County Road 4 adjacent to Heritage E-STEM Magnet School in consideration of the School Crossing Assessment and School Route Plan, data, discussions with City and school district partners, and the findings of prescribed engineering investigation as required per Minnesota Statutes Section 169.14 Subd. 5a and recommends implementation of corrective actions in accordance with the MMUCTD.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Costs for establishing the school zone speed limit as recommended can be accounted for within the adopted Transportation Operating and Capital Improvement Program budgets.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota County designs and operates traffic control devices in accordance with the Minnesota Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD); and
WHEREAS, school zone speed limits can be effective in promoting pedestrian safety in school zones adjacent to County Highways; and
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 169.14 Subd. 5a enables local authorities to establish speed limits within a school zone of a public or non-public school upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation as prescribed by the Commissioner of Transportation; and
WHEREAS, the placement of signage for a school zone speed limit must comply with the MMUTCD; and
WHEREAS, a school speed limit shall not be lower than 15 miles per hour and shall not be more than 30 miles per hour below the established speed limit on an affected street or highway based on the results of the prescribed engineering investigation; and
WHEREAS, effective school zone speed limits consider the roadway design elements and area conditions to gain compliance with the established speed to maximize driver compliance and safety; and
WHEREAS, implementation of a school zone speed limit based on the engineering and traffic investigations at Heritage E-STEM Magnet School is desired as a tool to enhance safety; and
WHEREAS, the current speed limit of the roadway in the vicinity of Heritage E-STEM Magnet School is 35 miles per hour; and
WHEREAS, Independent School District 197, the City of West St. Paul, and Dakota County worked together to improve pedestrian safety, including engaging in the development of a school route plan and implementation of safety enhancements and education for the crossing of County Road 4 (Butler Avenue) east of Bidwell Street adjacent to Heritage E-STEM Magnet School; and
WHEREAS, the engineering investigation for the establishment of a legal school speed zone that maximizes safety was prepared and recommended a school zone speed limit for County Road 4 (Butler Avenue) of 25 miles per hour in the vicinity of Bidwell Street; and
WHEREAS, an engineering investigation was conducted for the roadway based on the implemented improvements to establish a legal school zone speed limit that maximized safety; and
WHEREAS, the school zone speed limit, in conjunction with a sound school route plan, school zone hazard evaluation, correction, pedestrian education, and enforcement, can effectively promote pedestrian safety in school zones.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the County Engineer is hereby authorized to establish and place signage creating a school zone speed limit of 25 miles per hour on County Road 4 (Butler Avenue) focused around the crossing at Bidwell Street in the City of West St. Paul in accordance with the Minnesota Manual On Uniform Traffic Control Devices based upon the School Route Plan for the area established by Independent School District 197, the findings of prescribed engineering investigation required per Minn. Stat. § 169.14 Subd. 5a, and recognizing the implementation of roadway, school enhancements, and education.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: School Zone Speed Limit Recommendation Map
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Erin Laberee
Author: Tyler Krage