Park City Council voted unanimously Sept. 9 to lower the posted maximum speed on a section of Hydraulic Street from 55 miles per hour to 45 mph.

The change responds to a police department speed and safety study prompted by public comments and forthcoming development near the roadway, including a new casino. City staff summarized multiple measures from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and local crash data during the discussion. The police study showed an 85th-percentile speed of 57 mph in the stretch under review and a widely dispersed pace, both factors the department considered when recommending a reduced limit.

The nut graf: staff recommended a 45-mph posted limit on the section currently posted at 55 mph to reduce speed variance, help drivers entering and exiting multiple driveways, and address anticipated increased traffic from nearby developments.

Council members debated the target number. One councilmember said 50 mph would be a “meet in the middle”; others argued for 45 mph, citing safety and comparability with similar nearby corridors. Troy Hill and Linda Westhafer voiced support for the lower limit; Councilmember Charles moved the ordinance and Jim Schrader seconded.

The motion approved ordinance 12-20-2025, amending section 14-202 of the municipal code to set the new posted-speed limits; the roll-call vote was 7-0. Staff noted the amendment affects only the 55-mph portion and does not change other speed limits mentioned elsewhere in the code. The police chief’s analysis cited 23 crashes in the relevant segment over the past five-and-a-half years, with an upward trend this year (5 crashes to date).

The council directed staff to implement the change in signage and communicated the rationale that a lower posted limit should reduce speed dispersion and minimize driveway-related conflicts as surrounding development increases.