TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steven Lederer, Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Ahsan Kazmi, P. E., Senior Traffic Engineer
SUBJECT: Speed Limit Reductions on Cold Springs Road and Buhman Avenue
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution reducing the speed limits on Buhman Avenue from Congress Valley Road to Napa City Limit and Cold Springs Road from Las Posadas Road to End. (Fiscal impact: Yes (de minimus), Roads Division, Budgeted; Discretionary).
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BACKGROUND
The California Vehicle Code authorizes local agencies to establish speed limits which are “found most appropriate to facilitate the orderly movement of traffic,” and are “reasonable and safe.” Speed limits must be a minimum of 15 miles per hour (mph), and a maximum of 65 mph, and be set at 5 mph increments (e.g., cannot establish a speed limit of 37 mph). Generally, speed limits must be based on an engineering and traffic survey and are usually set near the 85th-percentile speed. The 85th-percentile speed is the speed at or below which 85 percent of the vehicle traffic travels. Engineering and traffic surveys should be performed periodically, generally every seven years. Law enforcement cannot use radar or any other electronic device to enforce a speed limit if the speed limit is not supported by an engineering and traffic survey.
An engineering and traffic survey was conducted by Willdan Engineering (a traffic engineering firm) and a report was prepared in February 2020. Two of the recommendations in that report were not implemented at that time because the speed limits on portions of Buhman Avenue and Cold Springs Road were set by County Ordinance. Historically Napa County adopted some speed limits by ordinance, appearing in the Napa County Code, while others were adopted by resolution. In May 2023, the Board amended Chapter 10.04 of the Napa County Code to remove all the speed limits from the Code and re-establish them by resolution. Now the Board may adopt new speed limits on any county road by resolution.
Based on the 2020 engineering and traffic survey, staff recommends reducing the speed limit from 45 mph to 40 mph on Buhman Avenue from Congress Valley Road to the Napa City limit, and reducing the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph on Cold Springs Road from Las Posadas Road to its end. Adopting the resolution reducing the speed limits on Buhman Avenue and Cold Springs Road will complete the speed limit updates of county roadways.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
Yes |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
Yes |
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Where is it budgeted? |
The Roads Division budget provides funding each year for modifications and maintenance to various traffic control signs and markings. The recommended action will require the installation and/or modification of speed limit signs. These actions are routine and are included within the current budget. |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
The proposed action will enable radar enforcement of these speed limits, resulting in improved safety conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorist. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
None |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The recommended speed limits cannot be enforced. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: This activity is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301, as relating to the operation of existing public facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use.