Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Speed Limits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council holds first reading on speed‑limit updates for New Hope, Scottsdale Drive and Little Elm Trail
Summary
Staff presented traffic engineering 85th‑percentile data and recommended setting or confirming speeds: New Hope Drive at 45 mph (toll road to Reagan Boulevard), Scottsdale Drive 40 mph (south) / 35 mph (north), and Little Elm Trail at 40 mph; council asked about construction impacts and options to defer changes in areas under active construction.
The Cedar Park City Council on April 10 received a first reading and public hearing on an ordinance to amend the city’s traffic code and establish speed limits for three corridors: New Hope Drive, Scottsdale Drive, and Little Elm Trail.
Tom Godalla, with Engineering & Capital Projects, said the city follows Texas Department of Transportation guidance and relies on an engineering traffic investigation using 85th‑percentile speed data. He testified the data and roadway characteristics support establishing New Hope Drive at 45 mph from the 183A toll road to Ronald Reagan Boulevard (the corridor includes a new segment whose design speed is 45), Scottsdale Drive at 40 mph for the southern half and 35 mph for the northern half where the street narrows into two lanes, and Little Elm Trail at 40 mph between Bell and Lakeline Boulevard.
Councilmembers raised practical questions: some expressed reluctance to raise posted limits in corridors still under construction and suggested deferring changes where construction is active, noting that posted limits can alter enforcement and driver behavior. Staff said the 85th‑percentile approach typically aligns posted limits with prevailing driving speeds, but the council may choose to exclude specific sections from the ordinance; staff will correct a minor numerical typo in the ordinance language and return for second reading.
During the public hearing several residents reported persistent speeding and requested enforcement. Police representatives said they respond to complaints, deploy patrol and traffic units when complaints are received, and coordinate with neighboring jurisdictions when incidents cross boundaries.
The council did not adopt the ordinance on April 10; staff will return with corrected ordinance language and the matter will come back for a second reading and formal vote.
