In the fall of 2016, local residents raised concerns about the existing speed limit on SE Four Mile Drive / County NE 29th Street where the urban (i.e. curb and gutter) cross section ends approximately 4,000 feet south of SE Oralabor Road. Currently, the speed limit changes from 35 MPH to 55 MPH for southbound traffic, and it changes from 55 MPH to 35 MPH for northbound traffic at this location. Since this segment of SE Four Mile Drive / County NE 29th Street is a joint-jurisdictional road, engineering staff from both Polk County's and Ankeny's Public Works Departments reviewed the existing speed limits to determine whether they are appropriate. Based upon the existing horizontal and vertical curves on SE Four Mile Drive south of the urban cross section, both Polk County and Ankeny public works staff determined that the current 55 MPH posted speed limit on SE Four Mile Drive should be lowered to 45 MPH from a point 4,000 feet south of SE Oralabor Road to a point 6,400 feet south of SE Oralabor Road; and the posted speed limit of 55 MPH should be maintained from a point 6,400 feet south of SE Oralabor Road to Ankeny's south corporate limits. The current posted speed limits on other segments of SE Four Mile Drive will remain unchanged.
Pending approval of the proposed ordinance change, it is recommended that Section 63.05, paragraph 13 be revised to reflect the above change. Specifically, a 45 MPH posted speed limit shall be established on SE Four Mile Drive from a point 4,000 feet south of SE Oralabor Road to a point 6,400 feet south of SE Oralabor Road; and the posted speed limit of 55 MPH shall be maintained on SE Four Mile Drive from a point 6,400 feet south of SE Oralabor Road to Ankeny's south corporate limits. |