NW Arterial - IA 32 Speed LimitMEMORANDUM
December 5, 2003
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
IA 32 (Northwest Arterial) Speed Limits
The Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) is recommending that the speed limit be
increased to 50 miles per hour on IA 32 (Northwest Arterial) between US Highway 20
and US Highway 52. Since this is a State highway, IDOT has sole jurisdiction to
establish speed limits; and therefore, the City Code needs to be changed to be
consistent with the new IDOT speed limits.
Public Works Director Mike Koch is recommending City Council adoption of an
ordinance to change the speed limit on IA 32 (Northwest Arterial) from US Highway 20
(Dodge Street) to the northerly limits from 45 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour to
conform to the speed limit to be established by the Iowa Department of Transportation.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
MicHael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
December 8, 2003
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
tA 32 (Northwest Arterial) Speed Limits
INTRODUCTION
The attached ordinance provides changes to the posted speed limit on IA 32 (Northwest
Arterial) for consistency with the changes proposed by the Iowa Department of
Transportation.
DISCUSSION
In September, 2003, the Iowa Department of Transportation conducted a speed study on
IA 32 between US Highway 20 and US Highway 52. The results of the speed study
indicate that the 85%tile speed of traffic ranged from 52 miles per hour to 58 miles per
hour. (See attached map.) Because the highway is posted at 45 miles per hour, the
speeding violation rates ranged from a Iow of 69% and a high of 93.9% of the vehicles
traveling on the highway.
The Iowa Department of Transportation (tDOT) is recommending that the speed limit be
increased to 50 miles per hour. Since this is a State highway, IDOT has sole jurisdiction
to establish speed limits; and therefore, the City Code needs to be changed to be
consistent with the new IDOT speed limits. If the City Code is not changed, tickets
written to motorists exceeding the speed limit through the areas of nonconformity to the
State Code could only be written as a State violation and revenues would go to the
State.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend the City Council adopt the attached ordinance to change the speed limit on
Northwest Arterial (IA 32) from US Highway 20 (Dodge Street) to the northerly limits
from 45 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour, to conform to the speed limit to be
established by the Iowa Department of Transportation.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The City Council is requested to adopt the attached ordinance.
cc: Bill Schlickman, Engineering
ORDINANCE NO. 101-03
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, BY REVISING SUBSECTION (C) OF
SECTION 32-231 THEREOF PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT
OF SPEED LIMITS ON THE NORTHWEST ARTERIAL (IA 32)
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL
OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque,
Iowa, be amended by deleting the Northwest Arterial
from Subsection (c) of Section 32-231 thereof as
follows:
"Sec. 32-231. Limits Generally.
(c)
FORTY-FIVE (45) MILES PER HOUR
Northwest Arterial, US Highway 20 to J. F. Kennedy Roact
Section 2.
"Sec. 32-231.
(c)
That the Code of Ordinances of the City of Dubuque,
be amended by adding the Northwest Arterial (IA 32)
to Subsection (c) of Section 23-231 thereof as follows:
Limits Generally.
FIFTY (50) MILES PER HOUR
Northwest Arterial (IA 32), from Dodge Street (US Highway 20) to
the northerly City limits.
Passed, approved
December 2003.
and
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, CMC, City Clerk
adopted this 15th day of
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Iowa Department of Transportation
District 6 3t 9-364-0235
430 Sixteentfl Avenue SW FAX: 319-364-9614
P.O. Box 3150, Cedar Rapids, IA 52406-3150
October 21, 2003
R~: 450
Dubuque County
Mr. Mike Koch, Public Works Director
City of Dubuque
50 West 13~ Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-1864
SUBJECT: IA 32 (NW Arterial) Speed Study
Dear Mike:
We have been informed that you concur with the recommendations rem~fing from our recent speed
study conducted on Iowa 32 (the NW Arterial) in Dubuque.
The City had asked the Iowa DOT to conduct a speed study on the newest section of Iowa 32 from
JFK to US 52JIA 3 with the goal of increasing the existing 45 MPH speed limit. The DeparOnent
conducted a speed study on the entire length of Iowa 32, including the section requested. As you are
aware the study indicated that an increase in the posted speed on the entire mute was appropriate.. A
new speed limit of 50 MPH was recommended for Iowa 32 from its beginning at LIS 20 to its end at
US 52/Iowa 3.
Please have the City pass an ordinance reflecting the proposed change. When we have been advised
that the ordinance is in place, we will have a Staff Action completed and make the necessary sign
changes. The speed limit will be enforceable when the new signs are in place.
. If you have any question, please let me know.
Very truly yours,
District 6 Traffic Tech