HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013/02/05 Item 07CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA STATEMENT
~~ CITY OF
CHULAVISTA
2/5/13, Item 7
ITEM TITLE: ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA INCREASING
THE SPEED LIMIT ON RUTGERS AVENUE BETWEEN EAST H
STREET AND OTAY LAKES ROAD FROM 25 MPH TO 35 MPH,
AND AMENDING SCHEDULE X OF THE REGISTER
MAINTAINED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER TO
REFLECT THE REVISED SPEED L'I~~~,I~T'
SUBMITTED BY: DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ~=.~.p~' ~~(~ ~ ~./
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERINGu9~J~~"'
REVIEWED BY: CITY MANAGER Z'~~ ~S
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER~j~
4/STHS VOTE: YES ^ NO
SUMMARY
Staff completed an Engineering and Traffic survey for Rutgers Avenue in accordance with the
California Vehicle Code, which indicates that the posting of speed limits be determined by an
Engineering and Traffic Survey for each street with a posted speed limit within the City. Based
on the results of this speed survey, staff has determined that the speed limit on Rutgers Avenue
between East `H' Street and Otay Lakes Road should be increased from 25 mph to 35 mph (see
Attachment 1, Location Plat).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The Development Services Duector has reviewed the proposed project for compliance with the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the project qualifies for a
Class 1 (c) categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15301 [Existing Facilities] of the State
CEQA Guidelines because the proposed project consists of increasing the posted speed limit on
an existing street resulting in negligible or no expansion of the street use. Thus, no further
environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION
Council place Ordinance on first reading.
BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION
The Safety Commission, at their meeting on November 7, 2012, voted to concur with staff s
recommendation to increase the posted speed limit from 25 mph to 35 mph on Rutgers Avenue,
between East `H' Street and Otay Lakes Road. Also, the Safety Commission recommended that
additional traffic-calming measures be evaluated and included with the revised speed limit.
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DISCUSSION
ENGINEERING AND TRAFFIC SURVEY
City staff completed speed surveys on Rutgers Avenue between East `H' Street and Otay Lakes
Road in accordance with the California Vehicle Code which indicates that the posting of speed
limits be determined by an Engineering and Traffic Survey (see Attachment 2). As described in
the California Vehicle Code, the survey shall include:
(1) Prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements;
(2) Accident records;
(3) Traffic/roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver.
These roadway characteristics are then used to help determine an appropriate speed limit. In
addition, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) states that the speed limit
shall be established at the neazest 5 mph increment of the 85`h percentile speed. In addition, if the
5 mph reduction procedure is applied, the Engineering and Traffic Survey shall document in
writing the conditions and justification for the lower speed limit and be approved by a registered
Civil or Traffic Engineer.
Speed limits established on the basis of the 85th percentile speed conform to the consensus of
those who drive the street as to what speed is reasonable and safe, and are not dependent on the
judgment of one or a few individuals. Speed limits posted higher than the 85th percentile speed
aze not generally considered reasonable and safe while speed limits posted below the 85tH
percentile typically do not facilitate the orderly movement of traffic. Only when roadside
development results in traffic conflicts or unusual conditions not readily appazent to drivers may
speed limits be further reduced.
The Engineering and Traffic Survey determined that the 85th percentile speed on Rutgers Avenue
is 35 mph. Per speed limit establishment protocol, this was measured during the off-peak hours
under normal driving conditions, as required per the MUTCD. In an attempt to better understand
the speeds on this roadway, City staff collected data for one continuous week. The average
measured speed for this full week (7-days, 24-hour period) of data showed that over 96% of the
vehicles were traveling over the existing posted speed limit of 25 mph, making a significant
portion of motorists violating the speed limit. The one-week average 85th percentile for the
continuous 7-day period was measured to be 38 mph.
SAFETY COMMISSION MEETING
At the November 7, 2012, Safety Commission Meeting, some residents addressed the
Commission because of limited side street sight distance which makes seeing oncoming thru
traffic on Rutgers Avenue difficult. They mentioned they would like to see improvements made
that would increase sight distance or stop the thru traffic so they could merge out of the side
street easier and make their northbound and southbound turns. The residents felt that
establishing all way stops at the intersection of Rutgers Avenue and Ithaca Street would assist in
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calming traffic speeds along Rutgers Avenue once the new speed limit goes into effect. Several
Commissioners explained to the residents that a stop sign may slow speeders, but its actual
purpose is to assign right-of--way. Studies have shown that motorists will make up the lost time
at an all-way stop controlled intersection by speeding up somewhere else along their route.
Also, several Commissioners commented that a speed limit of 25 mph at this location creates a
speed trap because the posted speed limit is not reasonable due to the fact that everyone exceeds
it. Some drivers are traveling nearly 40 mph, but the violation of the posted 25 mph speed limit
cannot actually be enforced, unless the limit is brought up to the 85a' percentile range and
posted at the appropriate speed that meets the California Vehiculaz Code requirements (35
mph).
ALL-WAY STOP ANALYSIS
The intersections of Rutgers Avenue/Ithaca Street and Rutgers Avenue/Citadel Court were
studied for anall-way stop in February 2006. At that time, the intersection of Rutgers
Avenue/Ithaca Street received a total of 19 points out of a possible 100 points. Also, the
intersection of Rutgers Avenue/Citadel Court received a total of 15 points out of a possible 100
points. In accordance with the City Policy, the minimum of 45 points is required to justify the
installation of an all-way stop control. The Safety Commission considered this item at their
March 3, 2006, meeting and voted to not approve the installation of an all-way stop at these
intersections.
The most ideal location for anall-way stop installation is when all of the approach volumes aze
equal since the primazy purpose of an all-way stop is to assign vehiculaz right-of--way. At this
location, the traffic volumes from Ithaca Street are extremely low compared to traffic entering
Rutgers Avenue. Per the 2006 traffic data, the total entering volume at this intersection was
7,072 Average Daily Traffic (ADT). From this, the percent entering from Rutgers Avenue was
95.6% at 6,764 ADT. The percent of vehicles entering from Ithaca Street was 4.4% at 308 ADT.
Based on this information, if an all-way stop were to be installed, we can conclude that the
majority of vehicles stopping at Rutgers Avenue would face little to no opposing traffic. From
experience, we have seen that vehicles tend to blatantly disregard stop signs when volumes are
significantly uneven. Today, ADT along Rutgers Avenue is 7,295, which is an increase of 3%
from 2006 ADT data. Ultimately, the roadway is designed to be a 4-lane collector with a design
capacity of 22,000 ADT. Under the current striping plan, which is a 2-lane roadway with a
center 2-way left-turn lane, the design capacity is at 12,000 ADT. Currently, there is no need to
revise the striping to a 4-lane roadway for additional thru lanes. However, there is the need to
maintain the center 2-way left-tum lane. Additional information and data is provided in the
"Physical Conditions" section below.
There is a common belief among the general public that stop signs provide relief from traffic
speeding problems. While, this belief would appear reasonable because motorists approaching a
stop sign have to slow down, studies conducted nationwide have shown that the speeds within a
block of the stop sign are either unaffected by the stop sign or, in some cases, actually increase.
At the point of installation, speeds aze reduced, but the effect on traffic approaching or leaving
the controlled location is negligible. Some motorists actually increase their speed to make up for
the inconvenience.
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TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES
As part of the discussion on revising the speed limit, the Commission requested staff to review
and consider possible traffic calming measures on Rutgers Avenue between Gotham Street and
Otay Lakes Road in order to keep vehicular speeds within the current range recorded. Staff has
reviewed the location and recommends the following calming measures: 1) narrowing the travel
way, 2) providing additional speed limit signs and pavement makkings, and 3) revising the
center 2-way left-tum lane markings using raised pavement markers. The narrowing of the
travel lanes will have the effect of slowing the vehicles down and would be accomplished by
making both the bike lanes and the pazking lanes wider. The center 2-way left-tum lane will
remain at the current dimension of 12-feet in width but instead of repainting it, the striping will
be designated entirely out of raised pavement markers. By using the raised pavement mazkers,
the impact of driving over them gives a rumble strip effect and would be noticed by the motorists
that they have started to drift out of their lane and need to take corrective action such as slowing
down and/or paying more attention to their driving. Driving over paint is not noticeable to
drivers, so today they may be drifting out of the travel lane more than they realize and
consequently, maintain a higher speed through the corridor. In addition, by providing additional
speed limit signs with speed limit pavement legends, the educational component of the traffic
calming would be reinforced by providing more awareness and compliance of the posted speed
limit. More than one speed limit sign and pavement legend per direction will be provided.
The wider bicycle lanes also provides a buffer to the cyclists from the through traffic lanes and
parked vehicle doors that may open unexpectedly. Increasing the width of the parking lanes also
provides sufficient room so that if a large vehicle, such as a full sized pickup truck and/or van
parks along the curb, that the mirrors and bumpers are completely clear of the bicycle lanes,
instead of straddling the bike lane striping. Per the California Vehicle Code, a vehicle is
considered legally parked if it is no more than 18-inches away from the curb, so the revisions to
the parking lane would certainly help. With the parking lane proposal to provide an extra foot so
that it is 9-feet in width, the total area for the pazking lane would be sufficient to meet the needs
of the bicyclists and the users of the parking lanes. The existing and proposed typical street
sections are shown in Attachment 3.
This segment of Rutgers Avenue is included in the Pavement Rehabilitation Project CIP
STM373, which is scheduled for construction later this year. Since any changes made now
would be obliterated by the new pavement surfacing, staff recommends that all the delineation
revisions described above be implemented as a part of this project. Additionally, the segment of
Rutgers Avenue between East "H" Street and Gotham Avenue was recently resurfaced in 2011
and does not warrant any delineation revisions.
Phvsical Conditions
The following table describes the existing conditions for the segment along Rutgers Avenue
between East `H' Street and Gotham Street:
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Segment Limits Rutgers Avenue, East `H' Street to Gotham Street
Len h/Width 1,049'(0.20 miles / 64'curb to curb
Classification Class II Collector
ADT ear 7,295 (2012)
Exist. S eed Limit 25 m h
85` % S eed 35 m h. The range of s eeds recorded is 28-38 m h.
Number of Lanes 4 total lanes (2 er direction
Stri in 4 lanes with two-wa left turn lane.
On-Street Parking
And Bike Facilities No Parking is allowed. Bike lanes exist on both sides of the roadway.
Land Use Multi-family residential.
Horizontal Alignment A horizontal curve located south of East `H' Street with a radius of 750'
and a length of 187.94' along the centerline produces a design speed of
45 m h.
Vertical Alignment A sag vertical curve located at the intersection of East `H' Street and
Rutgers Avenue with a -1.51% to +8.2% grade change over 300' along
the centerline produces a design speed of 27 mph. No warning signs are
re uired er the MUTCD.
Accident Rate:
Se ment /State The accident rate at this segment is 0.0 (accidents per million vehicle
miles over a 3- ear eriod.
The following table describes the existing conditions for the segment along Rutgers Avenue
between Gotham Street and Otay Lakes Road:
Segment Limits Rutgers Avenue, Gotham Street to Otay Lakes Road
Len th/Width 2,131' (0.40 miles / 64' curb to curb
Classification Class II Collector
ADT ear 7,295 (2012
Exist. S eed Limit 25 m h
85` % S eed 35 m h. The range of speeds recorded is 27-38 m h
Number of Lanes 2 total lanes (1 er direction)
Stri in 2 lanes with two-wa left turn lane.
On-Street Parking Parking allowed in the residential area. Bike lanes exist on both sides of
And Bike Facilities the roadwa .
Single Family Residential homes with direct driveway gazage access.
Driveways aze "hammer-head" designed for vehicle turn-around on-site
Land Use in order to facilitate "head-in" and "head-out" movement and discourage
backing out on to local street.
A horizontal curve south Gotham Street with a radius of 700' and a
Horizontal Alignment len h of 925' alon the centerline roduces a desi seed of 47 m h.
A crest vertical curve located between Ithaca Street and Gotham. Street,
Vertical Alignment with a 6.60% to -5.00% grade change over 800' along the centerline
roduces a desi n s eed of 41 m h.
Accident Rate: The accident rate at this segment is 0.00 (accidents per million vehicle
Se went /State miles) over a 3-yeaz eriod.
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CONCLUSION
When speed limits aze appropriately established (set at the 5 mph increment of speed in the upper
half of the normal pace of traffic (85th percentile)) the following objectives aze achieved:
- Meaningful, unambiguous enforcement
- Voluntary public compliance
- Cleaz identification of the unreasonable violator
- Elimination of unjustifiable "tolerances" of higher speed travel
Roadway design and other factors support increasing the posted speed limit to 35 mph. Each of
the two-vehicle speed study samples below show a disproportionate number of vehicles
exceeding the currently posted 25 mph speed limit.:
Rutgers Avenue Speed
Range
%> 25 mph
%> 35 mph
East "H" St. to Gotham St. 28-38 mph 100% 15%
Gotham St. to Otay Lakes St. 27-38 mph 100% 16%
Based on the 85th percentile speed of the roadway, the design speed as well as a low collision
rate outlined in the Engineering/Traffic Survey, staff has determined that the speed limit on
Rutgers Avenue should be increased to 35 mph from East `H' Street to Otay Lakes Road.
Should the City Council establish the proposed 35 mph speed limit, Schedule X of the register
maintained in the office of the City Engineer would be amended to reflect the revised speed limit
as follows:
10.48.020 Schedule X -Established Speed Limits in Certain Zones -Designated
Name of Street Beginning At Ending At Proposed Speed Limit
Rutgers Avenue East `H' Street Otay Lakes Road 35 mph
DECISION MAKER CONFLICT
Staff has reviewed the property holdings of the City Council and has found no property holdings
within 500 feet of the boundaries of the subject of this action. Staff is not independently aware,
nor has staff been informed by any Council member, of any other fact that may constitute a basis
for a decision maker conflict of interest in this matter.
CURRENT YEAR FISCAL IMPACT
The proposed speed limit modification would require the replacement and posting of new speed
limit signs, mazking of new speed legends, and pavement legends. Rutgers Avenue from
Gotham Street to Otay Lakes Road is listed on our CIP STM373 Pavement Rehabilitation Project
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and funded by TransNet. The revised speed limit signs, at a total cost of approximately $600,
~~ll be installed once the Ordinance is in effect and will be paid for out of CIP TF332, which is
also funded by TransNet. Therefore, there is no direct impact to the General Fund.
ONGOING FISCAL IMPACT
Upon completion of the project, the improvements will require minor routine maintenance of the
street facilities.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Location Plat
2. Speed Survey
3. Existing and Proposed Typical Street Sections
J:IEngineerlAGENDAICAS2013102-OS-]31RUTGERSCOUNCIL REPORT rev6.doc
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ATTACHAA"~[~ITT ~
SPEED LIMIT -ENGINEERING/TRAFFIC SURVEY
STREET: Rutgers Avenue
LIMITS: East'H' Street -Gotham Street
Length of Segment (ft): 1,049' (0.20 miles )
Existing Posted Limit (mph): 25 MPH
SUMMARY OF SPEED SURVEYS
Segment: East'H' Street -Gotham Street
Date Taken: 8/7/2012
No. of Vehicles on Sample (cars): 100
85th Percentile (mph): 35
Range of Speeds Recorded (mph): 28 - 38
ROADWAY CHARACTERISTICS
Width (ft)t 64' curb to curb
Total No. of Lanes: 4 lanes (2 per direction) with two-way left turn lane
Horizontal Alignment: Horizontal curve located south of East'H' Street with a radius of 750' and
a lenvth of 1 R7.94' alone the centerline produces a desicn speed
Vertical Alignment: Sag vertical curve located at the intersection of East'H' Street and
Rntuers Avenue with a -1.51% to +8.2 % erade chance over 300'
a
TRAFFIC CHARACTERISTICS
Average Daily Traffic: 7,295 (2012)
On-Street Parking: No Parking is allowed.
Special Conditions: Bicycle lanes in both directions.
Accident History: The accident rate at this segment is 0.0 (accidents per million vehicle
miles).
SURVEY RESULTS
Study was Prepared by: Ben Herrera
Date: 9/5/2012
Recommendation: Increase speed limit to 35mph based
on the 85th percentile speed and
roadway characteristics.
Date Recommendation Approved:
By: Muna Cuthbert, P.E.
Approved Speed Limit (mph): 35 mph
Per CVC 40802, Survey Expires: 8/7/2019
7-9
CITY OF CHULA VISTA -VEHICLE SPEED SURVEY
SEGMENT UNDER STUDY: Rutgers Avenue (East H Street - Gotham Street)
DATE: 8/712012 SURVEY SITE: 500' South of East H Street POSTED SPEED: 25 MPH
TIME START: 2:00 P.M. TIME END: 2:20 P.M. WEATHER: Sunny/Clear
MPH DIRECTION: NB = O SB = /
5 to is zo
TOTAL
%
CUM
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38 O O O 3 3 100
37 0 0 0 0 \ 5 5 97
36 O O \ \ \ \ \ 7 7 92
;35u; ~.O O ~J, ~ O' O ~:O ~O , O O O 1:« V' : A 1 `V` \- V ~, 17 : 17 85 ;
34 O O O O O O O O O \ \ \ \ \ \ \ ~ A 17 17 68
33 O O O O O O O \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ 15 15 51
32 O O O \ \ \ \ \ \ \ 10 10 36
31 O O O O \ \ \ \ \ \ 10 10 26
30 O O \ \ \ 5 5 16
29 O O \ \ \ 5 5 11
28 O O O O \ \ 6 6 6
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
RECORD ER: Ben Herrera TO TAL NU MBER OF VEHICLES: 100
H:\HOME\ENGINEER\TRAFFIC\Speed_Surveys\Rutgers (East H St -Gotham Street) RADAR.xls.xls
7-10
SPEED LIMIT -ENGINEERING/TRAFFIC SURVEY
STREET: Rutgers Avenue
LIMITS: Gotham Street to Otay Lakes Road
Length of Segment (ft): 2,131' (0.40 miles )
Existing Posted Limit (mph): 25 MPH
SUMMARY OF SPEED SURVEYS
Segment: Gotham Street - Otay Lakes Road
Date Taken: 8/7/2012
No. of Vehicles on Sample (cars): 100
85`~ Percentile (mph): 35
Range of Speeds Recorded (mph): 27 - 38
ROADWAY CHARACTERISTICS
Width (ft): 64' curb to curb
Total No. of Lanes: 2 lanes (1 per direction) with two-way left turn lane
Horizontal Alignment: Horizontal curve located south of Gotham Street with a radius
of 700' and a length of 925' along the centerline produces a design speed
of 47 mnh.
Vertical Alignment: A crest vertical curve located between Ithaca Street and Gotham
with a 6.60% to -5.00% grade change over 800' along the center:
TRAFFIC CHARACTERISTICS
Average Daily Traffic: 7,295 (2012)
On-Street Parking: Allowed
Special Conditions: Bicycle lanes in both directions. Single family housing with direct
driveway access.
Accident History: The accident rate at this segment is 0.00 (accidents per million vehicle
_" -`
SURVEY RESULTS
Study was Prepared by: Ben Herrera
Date: 9/5/2012
Recommendation: Increase speed limit to 35mph based
on the 85th percentile speed and
roadway characteristics.
Date Recommendation Approved:
By: Muna Cuthbert, P.E.
Approved Speed Limit (mph): 35 mph
Per CVC 40802, Survey Expires: 8/7/2019
7-11
CITY OF CHULA VISTA -VEHICLE SPEED SURVEY
SEGMENT UNDER STUDY: Rutgers Avenue (Gotham Street- Otay Lakes Road)
DATE: 817/2012 SURVEY SITE: 600' north of Otay Lakes Road POSTED SPEED: 25 MPH
TIME START: 2:26 P.M. TIME END: 2:45 P.M. WEATHER: Sunny/Clear
MPH DIRECTION: NB = O SB = /
s io is zo
TOTAL
%
CUM
55
54
53
52
51
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
42
41
40
39
38 O O 2 2 100
37 O \ \ \ 4 4 98
36
35' O
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: ~ 10
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34 O O O O O O O O O \ \ \ \ \ \ \ . \ \ \ 19 19 67
33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 \ \ \ 13 13 48
32 O O O O O \ 6 6 35
31 0 0 0 0 0 0 \ \ \ 9 9 29
30 O O O \ \ 5 5 20
29 0 0 0 \ \ \ 6 6 15
28 O \ 2 2 9
27 O \ \ \ \ \ 7 7 7
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
REC ORD ER: Ben Herrera TOTAL NUMBER OF VEHICLES: 100
H:\HOME\ENGINEER\TRAFFIC\Speed_Surveys\Rutgers (Gotham Street- Otay Lakes Road) RADAR.xls.xls
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ORDINANCE NO.
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA INCREASING
THE SPEED LIMIT ON RUTGERS AVENUE BETWEEN EAST
H STREET AND OTAY LAKES ROAD FROM 25 MPH TO 35
MPH, AND AMENDING SCHEDULE X OF THE REGISTER
MAINTAINED IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ENGINEER TO
REFLECT THE REVISED SPEED LIMIT
WHEREAS, staff completed an Engineering and Traffic survey for Rutgers Avenue
between East "H" Street and Otay Lakes Road in accordance with the California Vehicle Code,
which indicates that the posting of speed limits be determined by an Engineering and Traffic
Survey for each street with a posted speed limit within the City; and
WHEREAS, as described in the California Vehicle Code, the speed survey shall include
1) Prevailing speeds as determined by traffic engineering measurements; 2) Accident records;
and 3) Traffic/roadside conditions not readily apparent to the driver; and
WHEREAS, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) states that the
speed limit shall be established at the nearest Smph increment of the 85`h percentile speed. Also,
if the Smph reduction is applied, the Engineering and Traffic Survey shall document in writing
the conditions and justification for the lower speed limit and be approved by a registered Civil or
Traffic Engineer; and
WHEREAS, based on the 85`h percentile speed of the roadway, as well as other roadway
characteristics outlined in the Engineering/Traffic Survey, staff has determined that the speed
limit on Rutgers Avenue should be increased to 35 mph from E "H" Street and Otay Lakes Road;
and
WHEREAS, on November 7, 2012, the City of Chula Vista Safety Commission
concurred with staff's recommendation that the speed limit on Rutgers Avenue between E "H"
Street and Otay Lakes Road should be 35 mph. Also, the Safety Commission recommended that
additional traffic-calming measures be evaluated and included with the revised speed limit; and
WHEREAS, this recommendation and other information in the City Engineer's report has
been fully considered by the City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Chula Vista does hereby ordain as follows:
L ESTABLISH SPEED LIMIT
That the speed limit on Rutgers Avenue between East "H" Street and Otay Lakes Road
be established at 35 mph and Schedule X of the register maintained in the office of the City
Engineer be amended to reflect the revised speed limit as follows:
7-75
Ordinance No.
Page 2
10.48.020 Schedule X -Established Speed Limits in Certain Zones -Designated
Name of Street Beginning At Ending At Proposed Speed Limit
Rutgers Avenue East `H' Street Otay Lakes Road 35 mph
IL EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance shall take effect and be in full force on the thirtieth day from and after its
final adoption.
Presented by
Richard A. Hopkins
Director of Public Works
7-16