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After public debate, council adopts staff’s targeted Crystal Valley Parkway speed plan 5–2
Summary
Following a staff presentation and a lengthy public comment period on traffic and pedestrian safety, the council voted 5–2 to adopt a context‑based speed limit adjustment on Crystal Valley Parkway (raise certain segments to 40 mph while keeping sensitive segments at 35 mph) and directed focused enforcement and design improvements.
The Town of Castle Rock approved a staff‑recommended, context‑related adjustment to posted speeds on Crystal Valley Parkway on March 24 after a lengthy discussion that included residents’ safety concerns and a police perspective supporting a data‑driven approach.
Public Works traffic engineer Dan Seiler presented speed and crash data and recommended a split approach: keep the segment adjacent to schools and constrained approaches at 35 mph while setting other segments to 40 mph based on observed operating speeds and corridor safety. Police Chief Cawley said targeted, data‑driven enforcement and new dedicated traffic‑safety officers would improve outcomes and warned that large disparities in operating speeds create safety risks.
Residents who use Crystal Valley Parkway urged greater enforcement and traffic calming. Tim Durbin said he regularly observes drivers exceeding limits and asked the council to install warning lights and consider traffic calming for West Loop Road approaches. Susan McAfee, a Crystal Valley resident, said raising the speed limit 5 mph could increase speeds across the corridor by the typical '5–10 over' effect and stressed school‑bus and pedestrian safety: "A child's life or any life for that matter is not worth 8 and a half seconds of your time," she said.
Councilmembers weighed enforcement, engineering and forthcoming geometric improvements (including a West Loop Road roundabout and future signals). Councilmember Brooks moved to implement staff’s recommended posted‑speed adjustments; the motion passed on a roll call vote, 5 in favor and 2 opposed. The roll call recorded the following votes: Councilmember Hollingshead — yes; Councilmember Bracken — yes; Councilmember Davis — no; Councilmember Brooks — yes; Councilmember Dietz — yes; Mayor Pro Tem Kavey — no; Mayor Gray — yes.
Council direction included continuing enforcement emphasis and moving forward with capital improvements that will further reduce speeds and improve pedestrian safety in the corridor. Councilmembers asked staff to monitor crash data and to return if further adjustments are needed.
