The Park City Council voted unanimously to reduce the posted speed limit on a segment of Hydraulic Avenue from 55 miles per hour to 45 mph.

Police data and guidance from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices informed the council's decision. The council approved Ordinance 12-20-2025 amending Section 14‑202 of the municipal code to change the maximum speed along the specified segment.

The city's traffic study presented by the police chief found the 85th percentile speed — the speed at or below which 85% of traffic travels — was 57 mph on the stretch under review. The chief said that metric, combined with what the study labeled the "pace" band (a 10‑mile‑per‑hour range where most vehicles travel), showed a wide dispersion of speeds and a concentration in the 47–56 mph band. "If you have a lot of driveways, people that are entering and exiting the road, the faster the traffic's going, the more variation of speed that you have," the chief said, and that risk informed the recommendation to reduce the limit to 45.

Council members debated alternatives; one member suggested 50 mph as a compromise, while others who drive the route daily said the lower posted limit would add only seconds to travel time and could reduce speed variance. Councilman Troy Hill said lowering the limit "is a good thing for sure" given upcoming development. Councilwoman Linda Westhafer also supported the 45 mph limit, citing close calls she observed when driving the corridor.

The ordinance change applies only to the previously posted 55 mph segment; other local speed limits remain unchanged. The chief noted the city's decision also anticipates increased traffic with the planned Gillies Park City casino opening in December and advised that state and national guidance on setting speed limits involves multiple factors beyond raw speed percentiles.

Councilmember Charles Schwenke moved to adopt the ordinance, and Councilmember Jim Schrader seconded; the roll-call vote was 7–0.

Officials said the change will be posted by signage updates; enforcement remains the responsibility of the police department.