Leander lowers posted speed to 40 mph on North Lakeline Boulevard segment and to study pedestrian beacon and signals

The Leander City Council on Feb. 6 approved an ordinance lowering the posted speed limit on North Lakeline Boulevard from 45 to 40 miles per hour for the section between Crystal Falls Parkway and Stinnett Drive. The unanimous vote followed resident testimony about frequent crashes and a city traffic investigation that found an 85th‑percentile speed of 50 mph in free‑flow conditions.

City engineer Emily Truman presented the staff recommendation and data. “This survey provided the 85 percentile speed of 50 miles an hour,” she said, and noted that Federal Highway Administration and Texas Department of Transportation guidance recommends setting posted limits within 5 mph of the 85th‑percentile speed unless other risk factors justify deviation. Truman said staff considered the “prevalence of pedestrian traffic, curvilinear alignment of the road, [and] presence of the neighborhood amenity pool” and recommended reducing the limit to 40 mph and installing a flashing pedestrian beacon at the Plano Lane crosswalk to increase driver awareness.

Resident Rick Dahlgren described repeated, loud crashes near a blind curve and urged quick action: “While the study goes on, some child's gonna die. I mean it's that serious.” Council and staff discussed alternatives including stop‑sign warrants and full traffic‑signal analysis. Staff said stop signs require balanced traffic on all legs, so they are typically not appropriate for the corridor, and recommended an initial step of lowering the speed and installing a flashing beacon quickly; signal studies at Sunny Drive could follow after speeds stabilize.

Council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance and to proceed with the beacon and subsequent signal analysis and other traffic‑calming efforts as warranted.