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County tables speed-study request for County Road 23 amid split city-township views
Summary
The board delayed action on a speed-study request for County Road 23 after the city of Becker and Becker Township disagreed on study limits; commissioners asked MnDOT and county staff to coordinate redesign plans and consider the road reconstruction before any final speed-limit request.
Sherburne County commissioners on May 6 agreed to table a requested speed study for County Road 23 after hearing that the city of Becker and Becker Township did not agree on the study limits.
County engineers and staff said that the state typically relies on measured traffic percentiles — notably the 85th percentile — when setting statutory speed limits, and that reconstruction of the road could affect any recommended posting. Andrew Witter, Sherburne County engineer, told commissioners the county received a request from the city for a study between Edgewood and 103rd, but that expanding the requested limits to the Benton county line would draw in additional township areas and complicate the record.
Several commissioners said they were reluctant to act while design work is pending. The board voted to table the matter and asked staff to hold discussions with Becker city and township officials and MnDOT, and to consider postponing the study until after planned reconstruction so the road design and posted speed limits align.
Commissioners noted that while the county forwards local requests to MnDOT for formal speed studies, county input on road features (continuous turn lanes, roundabouts) can influence eventual speed determinations.
