Council approves amendment to update City speed limits

After an extensive review of roadway conditions, traffic operations, and speed data, the City is amending the Municipal Code to update speed limits on some Cedar Rapids streets.

Approved by the City Council on Tuesday, the amended ordinance updates speed limits around the City and adds a subsection that allows temporary speed limits to be established within construction zones.

Speed limits were evaluated through coordination between the Public Works Department and the Cedar Rapids Police Department, as well as input from residents. Staff reviewed roadway conditions, traffic operations, and speed data to determine the most appropriate and reasonable speed limits for each location. The recommended changes are intended to improve consistency, safety, and driver expectancy throughout the roadway network while establishing clear authority for temporary speed limits within active construction zones.

Speed limits are regularly reviewed by traffic engineering staff when there are substantial changes to roadway characteristics, such as pavement reconstruction, or rezoning and redevelopment of adjacent properties. Staff also reviews speed limits based on input from residents who believe speed limit modifications should be considered on particular roadway segments.

The proposed changes were reviewed using the Speed Limit Setting Tool (SLS-Tool), developed through National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 17-76. The SLS-Tool emphasizes a context-sensitive approach to speed limit evaluation, allowing for consideration of roadway characteristics, surrounding land use, traffic activity, and operating conditions as well as traditional speed study data.

Below is a list, as well as a map, showing where the speed limit changes will take place.