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Council sets 55 mph speed limit on new section of Kenny Fort Boulevard
Summary
A new section of Kenny Fort Boulevard between State Highway 45 and Forest Creek Drive will carry a 55 mph limit after the council accepted a traffic engineering study using the 85th‑percentile method; the study returned an 85th percentile in the 53–60 mph range for the measured locations.
Round Rock City Council voted to set the speed limit at 55 mph on a recently opened section of Kenny Fort Boulevard that extends from State Highway 45 north to Forest Creek Drive.
City staff said the roadway opened Dec. 6, 2024, without a posted speed limit as engineers wanted drivers to settle into a comfortable operating speed; staff then conducted an engineering speed study using the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices 85th‑percentile methodology. For the sections evaluated, the 85th‑percentile speeds ranged roughly from 53 to 60 mph. Because speed limits are typically set in 5‑mph increments, staff recommended 55 mph for the segment. Staff also noted the section has few driveways and a higher posted speed is warranted there compared with roadway segments to the north that are set at 50 mph.
Council members asked about the study methodology and whether unusually fast drivers would skew the results. Staff explained the 85th‑percentile approach excludes the top 15% of drivers so extreme speeds (for example, 80 mph) would not necessarily move the recommended limit.
Motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Council Member Ortega and seconded by Council Member Fleming; all members present voted yes.
