ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA County Board Agenda Item Meeting of June 15, 2013 DATE: June 4, 2013 SUBJECT: Request to authorize Advertisement of a Public Hearing to consider an Amendment to Chapter 14.2 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), Section 14.2-12(A), of the Code of Arlington County, Virginia, Concerning Maximum and Minimum Speed Limits along Portions of North Meade Street, Clarendon Boulevard, Wilson Boulevard, North Sycamore Street, I-395 (Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway), and I-66 (Custis Memorial Parkway). C. M. RECOMMENDATION: Authorize the Advertisement of a July 13, 2012, public hearing to enact an Ordinance to Amend, Reenact and Recodify Chapter 14.2 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), Section 14.2-12(A), of the Code of Arlington County, Virginia, Concerning Maximum and Minimum Speed Limits by Decreasing the Speed Limit along Portions of North Meade Street, Clarendon Boulevard, Wilson Boulevard, and North Sycamore Street, and by Correcting the Speed Limit along Portions of I-66 (Custis Memorial Parkway) and I-395 (Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway). ISSUES: As part of the regular process, the County Board is being requested to authorize the advertisement of a public hearing concerning a proposed amendment to the County Code. There are no outstanding issues. SUMMARY: The State Code authorizes local governing bodies to enact and enforce ordinances to increase or decrease the speed limits within its boundaries, provided such increase or decrease is based upon a traffic engineering investigation. The Department of Environmental Services, Division of Transportation has conducted studies on the following streets: 1. North Meade Street from Arlington Boulevard to Marshall Drive (formerly Jackson Avenue) 2. Clarendon Boulevard from Washington Boulevard to North Oak Street 3. Wilson Boulevard from Route 110 (Jefferson Davis Highway) to Washington Boulevard County Manager: ##### County Attorney: County Attorney: Staff: Patricia Bush, Department of Environmental Services *****County Manager 21.
4. North Sycamore Street from Washington Boulevard to 17 th Street North and North Roosevelt Street from 17 th Street North to the County line The results of studies for North Meade Street, Clarendon Boulevard, and Wilson Boulevard indicate that the speed limit on these sections of streets can be decreased by five miles per hour, from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. The results of the study North Sycamore Street/North Roosevelt Street indicate that the speed limit should be a consistent 30 miles per hour. A discrepancy in speed limits exists as reflected in the records of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the County Code on the following streets within Arlington: 5. I-395 (Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway) regular and HOV lanes 6. I-66 (Custis Memorial Highway) VDOT records indicate that the speed limit of I-395 regular lanes from the Alexandria line to the District of Columbia line is 55 miles per hour. VDOT records indicate that the speed limit on the I-395 HOV lanes within Arlington as being 65 miles per hour from the Alexandria line to 1.37 miles north of Quaker Lane (MP 7.8) and 55 miles per hour from 1.37 miles north of Quaker Lane (MP 7.8) to the District of Columbia line. VDOT records indicate that the speed limit on I- 66 from the Virginia State Line to the Ramp to North Lynn Street is 45 miles per hour, and that the speed limit from the Ramp to North Lynn Street to the Fairfax County Line is 55 miles per hour. County Code would be changed to reflect the actual speed limits. BACKGROUND: As part of the Streets Element of the Master Transportation Plan, a policy was established to design streets to generally favor lower vehicle speeds without impeding or diverting existing vehicle volumes. One of the implementation actions for that policy is the adoption of 25 miles per hour as the standard speed limit for all arterial streets within Arlington s downtown districts on which there are high volumes of pedestrian crossings and higher density land development. Wilson Boulevard and Clarendon Boulevard fall within this category of streets. In addition, the Master Transportation Plan calls for speed limits on other arterial street outside of downtown areas to be reviewed. North Sycamore Street/North Roosevelt Street and North Meade Street fall within this category of streets. Speed limits are determined by ordinance based upon a traffic engineering investigation, in accordance with Section 46.2-1300 A.1 of the Code of Virginia and Section 14.2-12 of the County Code. A review of the County Code revealed a discrepancy between VDOT records and the County Code regarding the speed limit along I-395 within Arlington. The review also revealed that the speed limits for I-66 were not listed in the County Code. As I-395 and I-66 are maintained by the state, establishment of speed limits is the responsibility of VDOT. DISCUSSION: The Department of Environmental Services, Division of Transportation has conducted engineering studies on four arterial streets in Arlington. These studies compiled data on speed, collisions, traffic volumes, pedestrian and bicyclist activity, adjacent land uses and development patterns, and roadway characteristics. The data were then evaluated to determine if the existing speed limit was appropriate, or if it could be changed. These engineering studies - 2 -
formed the basis of staff s recommendation to amend the code to lower the speed limits. The civic associations adjacent to these four street segments have been notified of the proposed speed limit changes. As I-395 and I-66 are maintained by VDOT, responsibility for establishing the speed limits on those streets rests with the state. State streets are included in the County Code to allow for flexibility in enforcement of the speed limits. 1. North Meade Street North Meade Street between Arlington Boulevard and Marshall Drive (formerly Jackson Avenue) was evaluated to determine if the current speed limit of 30 mph could be changed. For evaluation purposes, the street was broken into two segments. Speed and volume data were gathered in June 2012. Collisions from January 2009 thru December 2011 were reviewed. Bicycle and pedestrian counts were gathered in June 2010 as part of the Meade Street Bridge Alternatives Study. Based on all factors considered, the study indicated that the speed limit could be decreased from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. New speed limit signs will be placed in accordance with the MUTCD. 2. Clarendon Boulevard The entire length of Clarendon Boulevard, from North Oak Street to Washington Boulevard, was evaluated to determine if the current speed limit of 30 mph could be changed. For evaluation purposes, the street was divided into two segments based on roadway and roadside characteristics. Speed and volume data were gathered in May 2013. Collisions from January 2010 through December 2012 were reviewed. Bicycle and pedestrian counts at signalized intersections were gathered in July 2011 as part of turning movement counts for signal optimization. Based on all factors considered, the study indicated that the speed limit could be decreased from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. New speed limit signs will be placed in accordance with the MUTCD. 3. Wilson Boulevard Wilson Boulevard between Route 110 (Jefferson Davis Highway) and Washington Boulevard was evaluated to determine if the current speed limit of 30 mph could be changed. For evaluation purposes, the street was divided into three segments based on roadway and roadside characteristics. Speed and volume data were gathered in May 2013. Collisions from January 2010 thru December 2012 were reviewed. Bicycle and pedestrian counts at signalized intersections were gathered in July 2011 as part of turning movement counts for signal optimization. Based on all factors considered, the study indicated that the speed limit could be decreased from 30 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour. New speed limit signs will be placed in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). 4. North Sycamore Street/North Roosevelt Street North Sycamore Street/North Roosevelt Street between Washington Boulevard (Route 237) and Arlington s border with Falls Church was evaluated to determine if a uniform speed limit could be established. Currently the speed limit of the segment of North Sycamore Street between Washington Boulevard and 19 th Street North and the segment between 19 th Street North and 17 th Street North is 35 mph, while the speed limit of the segment between 17 th Street North and the County line is 30mph. Speed and volume data were gathered in December 2012. Collisions from January 2010 thru December 2012 were reviewed. Bicycle and pedestrian counts were - 3 -
gathered at signalized intersections in March 2011 as part of turning movement counts for signal optimization. Based on all factors considered, the study indicated that a uniform speed limit of 30 mph could be implemented and that the speed limit on North Sycamore Street from Washington Boulevard to 17 th Street North can be decreased from 35 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour. New speed limit signs will be placed in accordance with the MUTCD. 5. I-395 (Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway) I-395 (Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway) runs from Arlington s border with Alexandria to Virginia s border with the District of Columbia at the 14 th Street Bridge. This section contains separated HOV lanes in addition to the regular lanes. As I-395 is maintained by VDOT, they have the responsibility to establish speed limits along the road. The County Code contains speed limits established along State roads so that violators may be charged under either the State or County Code provisions. It was recently determined that the County Code contains different speed limits for I-395 HOV and regular lanes sections than the speed limits established by VDOT. The County Code currently lists conflicting speed limits for a portion of the I-395 regular lanes within Arlington. VDOT records indicate the speed limit to be 55 miles per hour from the Alexandria line to the District of Columbia line. In addition, the County Code currently lists the speed limit on the I-395 HOV lanes as 65 miles per hour from the Alexandria City line to Mile Marker 8.0. VDOT records indicate that the speed limit on the I-395 HOV lanes within Arlington as 65 miles per hour from the Alexandria line to 1.37 miles north of Quaker Lane (MP 7.8) and 55 miles per hour from 1.37 miles north of Quaker Lane (MP 7.8) to the District of Columbia line. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to correct these discrepancies. The County staff concurs with the speed limits as established by VDOT. Enactment of the proposed amendments to the County Code will not require a change in signage by VDOT or the County. 6. I-66 (Custis Memorial Highway) I-66 (Custis Memorial Highway) runs from Arlington s border with Fairfax County to Virginia s border with the District of Columbia. As I-66 is maintained by VDOT, they have the responsibility to establish speed limits along the road. The County Code contains speed limits established along State roads so that violators may be charged under either the State or County Code provisions. It was recently determined that the County Code does not include the speed limits for I-66 as established by VDOT. VDOT records indicate that the speed limit on I-66 from the Virginia State Line to the Ramp to North Lynn Street is 45 miles per hour, and that the speed limit from the Ramp to North Lynn Street to the Fairfax County line is 55 miles per hour. The purpose of the proposed amendment is to correct this omission. The County staff concurs with speed limits as established by VDOT. Enactment of the proposed amendments to the County Code will not require a change in signage by VDOT or the County. FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of installing speed limit signs to reflect these changes will be approximately $5,000. Funds are available in the Fiscal Year 2014 Department of Environmental Services Transportation Engineering and Operations operating budget for the signs. - 4 -
AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 14 OF THE ARLINGTON COUNTY CODE TO INCLUDE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM SPEED LIMITS. BE IT ORDAINED by the County Board of Arlington County, Virginia that Chapter 14.2, Section 12, of the Arlington County Code is amended, reenacted and recodified, to read in pertinent part, as follows: 14.2-12. Maximum and Minimum Speed Limits. * * * ARTICLE 14.2. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC * * * A. No person shall drive any vehicle upon a highway in this County at a speed in excess of twenty five (25) miles per hour except upon the following highways or portions thereof on which the speed limits shall be as follows: Thirty (30) miles per hour upon: North 10th Street between Arlington Boulevard and North Washington Boulevard. Fairfax Drive between North Monroe Street and North Glebe Road. George Washington Parkway, marked portions either side of Key Bridge. Kirkwood Road from Washington Boulevard to Spout Run Parkway. Lorcom Lane from Old Dominion Drive to Spout Run Parkway. Nellie Custis Drive from Lorcom Lane to Military Road. South Arlington Mill Drive from Shirlington Road to Walter Reed Drive. North Carlin Springs Road from North Glebe Road to Arlington Boulevard. South Carlin Springs Road from Arlington Boulevard to Columbia Pike. Fairfax Drive from Arlington Boulevard to North Barton Street. Little Falls Road from Yorktown Boulevard at North Kensington Street to Williamsburg Boulevard. Quaker Lane from Shirley Highway to King Street. Walter Reed Drive from Columbia Pike to King Street. North Westmoreland Street from Arlington County line to Fairfax Drive. South 15th Street from Jefferson Davis Highway to South Hayes Street. Chain Bridge Road from North Glebe Road to Fairfax County Line. Washington Boulevard from Kirkwood Road to Lee Highway. Williamsburg Boulevard from North Glebe Road to North 29th Street.
Yorktown Boulevard from North 26th Street to North Kensington Street. Old Dominion Drive from Lorcom Lane to North Abingdon Street. Military Road from North Glebe Road to Lee Highway. South George Mason Drive from Arlington Boulevard to Fairfax County line. South Four Mile Run Drive (West Roadway) from Columbia Pike to South Walter Reed Drive. Washington Boulevard from North Pershing Drive to North 10th Street. Columbia Pike from South Oak Street to South Dinwiddie Street. Army Navy Drive from South 25th Street to South Nash Street. South Eads Street from South 15th Street to Army Navy Drive. South Hayes Street from South 15th Street to South 12th Street. Wilson Boulevard from North Glebe Road to Fairfax County Line. South Four Mile Run Drive from South Walter Reed Drive to Shirlington Road. North George Mason Drive from Yorktown Boulevard to Arlington Boulevard. South Eads Street from South 24th Street to South Glebe Road. North Roosevelt Street from North 17th Street to Falls Church City line. North Sycamore Street from Williamsburg Boulevard to North Washington Boulevard17th Street North. Clarendon Boulevard from Washington Boulevard to North Oak Street. Crystal Drive from Jefferson Davis Highway to South 12th Street. Fairfax Drive from Little Falls Road to Washington Boulevard. Fort Myer Drive from Key Bridge to Arlington Boulevard (including underpass). Fort Myer Drive underpass at Wilson Boulevard. North Glebe Road from Arlington Boulevard to Lee Highway. South Glebe Road from Walter Reed Drive to Arlington Boulevard. Lee Highway from the Federal line at the approach to Key Bridge at Rosslyn to North Nash Street. Lee Highway from North Quincy Street to Falls Church City Line. North Lynn Street from Arlington Boulevard to Key Bridge. North Meade Street from Arlington Boulevard to Jackson Avenue. Washington Boulevard from Lee Highway to North Westmoreland Street.
Wilson Boulevard from Jefferson Davis Highway to Washington Boulevard. Thirty-five (35) miles per hour upon: U.S. Route 1. Old Dominion Drive from Military Road to Lorcom Lane. Columbia Pike from South Dinwiddie Street to Fairfax County line. South Glebe Road from Walter Reed Drive to Jefferson Davis Highway. State Route 233 (Airport Viaduct) from Jefferson Davis Highway to Mount Vernon Parkway right-of-way. South 5th Road from South Carlin Springs Road to Fairfax County line. Washington Boulevard from Arlington Boulevard to North Pershing Drive. Old Dominion Drive from North Abingdon Street to North Glebe Road. Army Navy Drive from South Nash Street to South 12th Street. South Joyce Street from Columbia Pike to Army Navy Drive. North Sycamore Street from North Washington Boulevard to North 17th Street. South Hayes Street from South 15th Street to Army Navy Drive. Old Dominion Drive from North Glebe Road to Fairfax County line. North Glebe Road from Lee Highway to ramp from Military Road. Lee Highway from North Veitch Street to North Quincy Street. Spout Run Parkway from George Washington Memorial Parkway to Lee Highway. Forty (40) miles per hour upon: George Washington Memorial Parkway from Four Mile Run to Spout Run Parkway. Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway (I-395) from the Federal line at the approach to 14th Street Bridge to Arlington Ridge Road connection (Bridge 16). Lee Highway from North Nash Street to North Veitch Street. Forty-five (45) miles per hour upon: South Washington Boulevard from Boundary Channel to Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway. South Washington Boulevard from Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway to Arlington Boulevard.
Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 110) from Wilson Boulevard to U.S. Route 1. Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50) except parallel marginal or service roads which shall be twenty-five (25) miles per hour. I-66 (Custis Memorial Parkway) from the District of Columbia line to the ramp to North Lynn Street Fifty (50) miles per hour upon: George Washington Memorial Parkway from Spout Run Parkway to Fairfax County line. Fifty-five (55) miles per hour upon: Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway (I-395) from Alexandria line to the District of Columbia line at the 14th Street Bridge. I-395 (Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway) High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes from 1.37 Miles north of Quaker Lane (MP 7.80) to the District of Columbia line I-66 (Custis Memorial Parkway) from the ramp to North Lynn Street to the Fairfax County line. Sixty-five (65) miles per hour upon: Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway (I-395) High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes from Alexandria City line to Mile Marker 8.0 1.37 Miles north of Quaker Lane (MP 7.80). 1. BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that all provisions of Chapter 14.2 of the Code shall remain as previously enacted. ***
Proposed Speed Limit Changes Wilson Boulevard, Clarendon Boulevard, North Meade Street
Proposed Speed Limit Changes North Sycamore Street