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Jefferson County partners propose extending 45 mph zone, speed-feedback signs on State Highway 48
Summary
County and transportation staff discussed extending a 45 mph speed zone on State Highway 48, adding speed-feedback signage, studying auxiliary-lane and interchange needs, and pursuing a near-term traffic study on Road 200; no formal votes were taken.
Dan McElhinney, chief deputy for operations, told county and transportation partners that staff plan near-term safety measures on State Highway 48 while continuing longer-range planning.
McElhinney said the group is looking to extend a 45 mile-per-hour speed zone along a longer stretch of Highway 48 and install speed-feedback signs beneath updated speed-limit signs to support law enforcement and overall safety. “Were looking to extend that 45 mile an hour speed limit and to cover a longer stretch in support of school traffic as well as mobility on the route,” he said.
Why it matters: Highway 48 carries school traffic and experiences regular morning congestion at key ramps, participants said; improving signage and targeted speed controls can reduce speed variance and improve safety for students and residents while longer-term capital projects are planned.
Participants acknowledged constraints. One attendee said existing turn lanes are in place but right-of-way limits and recent school construction have made older alignment options infeasible, and that morning backups at the 4000/Yellowstone area frequently impede access. “Theres no way to get on 4000. It just backs up quick,” an attendee said.
What staff proposed: McElhinney described preparing a before-and-after exhibit showing proposed signage and limits for review by the community and law enforcement, and said parts ordering and weather are factors that could delay implementation. He also urged flexibility and partnerships across jurisdictions, noting some problematic connectors that affect Highway 48 are not county roads and will require coordination.
Near-term study: Staff and participants agreed on a near-term traffic study for Road 200 to help define immediate remedies and to feed into Jefferson Countys seven-year transportation plan. McElhinney said traffic engineering will consider speed-survey data and local safety concerns when finalizing boundaries for the extended speed zone.
Next steps and closing: The group agreed to follow up with the signage exhibit at the next meeting, pursue board funding processes where needed, and assemble engineering numbers and designs for the coming months. The meeting closed without any recorded motions or formal votes.
