009-03
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
RESOLUTION
Speed Limit Reduction
WHEREAS, highway safety is a high priority of' the Frederick County Board of
Supervisors; and
WHEREAS, highways with no posted speed limits present a danger to the motoring
public; and
WHEREAS, the policy by the Virginia Department of Transportation, if not otherwise
posted, the speed limit is 55 miles per hour.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors
hereby request that the Virginia General Assembly adopt a posted speed limit of 35 miles per
hour on all non hard-surfaced secondary roads in Frederick County, Virginia, pursuant to Virginia
Code Section 46.2-873,1.
Upon motion made by Gina A. Forrester and seconded by Lynda J. Tyler, the above was
approved by the following recorded vote:
Richard C. Shickle
Robert M. Sager
Sidney A. Reyes
Gina A. Forrester
Aye
Aye
Aye
Aye
W. Harrington Smith, Jr.
Margaret B. Douglas
Lynda 1. Tyler
Aye
Aye
Aye
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Frederick County Board of Supervisors
hereby request that the Virginia General Assembly adopt a maximum posted speed limit of 45
miles per hour on treated surfaced secondary highways pursuant to Section 46.2-870.
Upon motion made by W. Harrington, Smith, Jr. and seconded by Sidney A. Reyes, the
above was approved by the following recorded vote:
Richard C. Shickle
Robert M. Sager
Sidney A. Reyes
Gina A. Forrester
Nay
Aye
Aye
Aye
W. Harrington Smith, Jr.
Margaret B. Douglas
Lynda J. Tyler
Ave
Aye
Ave
Resolution - Speed Limit Reduction
Page 2
September 10, 2003
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a true copy of this resolution be delivered to Delegate
Athey and Delegate Sherwood, and to Senator Potts.
Adopted this lOth day of September 2003.
A COPY TESTE:
Resolution No. 009.03
COUNTY of FREDERICK
Kris C. Tierney
Assistant County Administrator
September 11, 2003
540/665-5666
Fax 540/667-0370
E-mail:
ktiemey@co.frederick.va.us
The Honorable H. Russell Potts, Jr.
Senate of Virginia
14 North Braddock Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Dear Senator Potts:
The Frederick County Board of Supervisors, meeting in regular session and public hearing
held on September 10, 2003, approved the enclosed resolution with reference to speed limit
reductions on Frederick County roads. We respectfully request your favorable consideration during
the 2004 session of the General Assembly.
With kindest regards, I am
Sincerely,
~~y
j ~e
!Kns C. Tierney'
Assistant County Administrator
KCT/tjp
Enclosure
cc: Jerry A. Copp, Resident Engineer, Virginia Department of Transportation
Eric R. Lawrence, Planning and Development Director
Board of Supervisors
c:\ TJP\vdot\LetPottsSherwoodAtheySpeedLimitReduction(091 003). wpd
107 North Kent Street. Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
COUNTY of FREDERICK
Kris C. Tierney
Assistant County Administrator
September 11, 2003
540/665-5666
Fax 540/667-0370
E-mail:
ktiemey@coJrederick.va.us
The Honorable Beverly J. Sherwood
Virginia House of Delegates
P. O. Box 2014
Winchester, V A 22604
Dear Delegate Sherwood:
The Frederick County Board of Supervisors, meeting in regular session and public hearing
held on September 10, 2003, approved the enclosed resolution with reference to speed limit
reductions on Frederick County roads. We respectfully request your favorable consideration during
the 2004 session ofthe General Assembly.
With kindest regards, I am
Sincerely,
/c~@
Assistant County Administrator
KCT/tjp
Enclosure
cc: Jerry A. Copp, Resident Engineer, Virginia Department of Transportation
Eric R. Lawrence, Planning and Development Director
Board of Supervisors
C:\TJP\vdot\LetPottsSherwoodAtheySpeedLirnitReduction(091 003). wpd
107 North Kent Street. Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
COUNTY of FREDERICK
Kris C. Tierney
Assistant County Administrator
September 11, 2003
540/665-5666
Fax 540/667-0370
E-mail:
ktiemey@coJrederick.va.us
The Honorable Clay Athey, Jr.
Virginia House of Delegates
35 North Royal Avenue
Front Royal, V A 22630
Dear Delegate Athey:
The Frederick County Board of Supervisors, meeting in regular session and public hearing
held on September 10, 2003, approved the enclosed resolution with reference to speed limit
reductions on Frederick County roads. We respectfully request your favorable consideration during
the 2004 session of the General Assembly.
With kindest regards, I am
Sincerely,
~cb
Kris C. Tierney
Assistant County Administrator
KCT/tjp
Enclosure
cc: Jerry A. Copp, Resident Engineer, Virginia Department of Transportation
Eric R. Lawrence, Planning and Development Director
Board of Supervisors
c:\ TJP\vdonLetPottsSherwoodAtheySpeedLimitReduction(091 003). wpd
107 North Kent Street. Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
COUNTY of FREDERICK
John R. Riley, Jr.
County Administrator
540/665-5666
Fax 540/667-0370
E-mail:
jriley@co.frederick.va.us
MEMORANDUM I
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
Board of Supervisors
John R. Riley, Jr., County Administrato~
Speed Limit Reductions
July 15,2003
Supervisor Douglas had inquired through the writer as to the feasibility oflowering the speed
limit on all non hard-surfaced state roads in Frederick County to 35 mph. This would require
an amendment to State Code g46.2-873.1 which will require legislation to be introduced in
the upcoming session of the General Assembly.
The Resident Engineer is also requesting a maximum speed limit on all treated secondary
highways of 45 mph. This action would require the amendment of State Code g46.2-870.
If it is the desire of the Board of Supervisors to endorse this request, then the adoption of the
attached resolution would be a prerequisite.
Please call me if you have any questions prior to the meeting.
JRRlcih
Attachment
C:\cihVRR Correspondence\Speed Limits. wpd
107 North Kent Street . Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
rl1bJ
COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Philip A. Shucet
COMMISSIONER
July 8, 2003
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
EDINBURG RESIDENCY
14031 OLD VALLEY PIKE
EDINBURG. VA 22824
JERRY A COPP
RESIDENT ENGINEER
TEL (540) 984-5600
FAX (540)984-5607
Mr. John Riley
Frederick County Administrator
107 North Kent Street
Winchester, VA 22601
Dear John:
You have recently discussed the speeding on non-surfaced treated highways in Frederick
County.
I have found that speeding on both the treated highways as well as the non-surface treated
highways is a major concern of citizens in both Frederick and Shenandoah Counties. I believe
that it will take action on the part of the General Assembly to help both the Department and law
enforcement officials.
I should make it clear that I am only speaking as a local Resident Engineer and I am unclear on
the exact position that the Virginia Department of Transportation would take on any such action.
I am attaching sections of the Code of Virginia that address the maximum speed limits on certain
conditions.
As you can see under Section 46.2-873.1 there is already a maximum speed limit on non-surface
treated highways of35 mph in certain counties.
I am also suggesting that consideration should be given for a maximum speed limit of 45 mph?
on treated secondary highways should be considered.
As stated, I am unclear on the Department's position. I have raised this issue on several
occasions. Please let me know if! can provide additional assistance.
aCe~elY,
(j:;,~. Copp
Resident Engineer
VirginiaDOT.org
WE KEEP VIRGINIA MOVING
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S 46.2-870. Maximum speed limits generally.
Except as otherwise provided in this article, the maximum speed limit shall be 55 miles per hour on
interstate highways or other limited access highways with divided roadways, nonlimited access
highways having four or more lanes, and all state primary highways.
The maximum speed limit on all other highways shall be 55 miles per hour if the vehicle is a
passenger motor vehicle, bus, pickup or panel truck, or a motorcycle, but 45 miles per hour on such
highways if the vehicle is a truck, tractor truck, or combination of vehicles designed to transport
property, or is a motor vehicle being used to tow a vehicle designed for self-propulsion, or a house
trailer.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the maximum speed limit shall be 65 miles
per hour where indicated by lawfully placed signs, erected subsequent to a traffic engineering study,
on: (i) interstate highways, (ii) highways constructed pursuant to the Virginia Highway Corporation
Act of 1988 (S 56-535 et seq.), (iii) Virginia Route 288, (iv) the limited access portion of Virginia
Route 37, (v) highways constructed pursuant to the Public Private Transportation Act of 1995 (S 56-
556 et seq.), and (vi) high-occupancy vehicle lanes if such lanes are physically separated from regular
travel lanes.
(Code 1950, S 46-212; 1950, p. 881; 1952, c. 666; 1954, c. 244; 1956, c. 364; 1958, c. 541, SS 46.1-
193,46.1-401; 1960, c. 153; 1962, c. 307; 1964, cc. 118,408; 1966, c. 85; 1968, c. 641; 1972, cc. 89,
546,553,608; 1974, c. 528; 1975, c. 533; 1977, c. 577; 1978, c. 605; 1980, c. 347; 1986, c. 639;
1988, cc. 662, 897; 1989, cc. 276, 526, 727; 1992, c. 598; 1994, c. 423; 1996, c. I; 1998, cc. 546,
560; 1999, c. 142; 2001, c. 298; 2002, c. 872; 2003, c. 838.)
previous I next I new search I table of contents I home
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7/8/2003
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S 46.2-873.1. Maximum speed limit on nonsurface treated highways for certain counties.
The maximum speed limit on nonsurface treated highways shall be thirty-five miles per hour. The
maximum speed limit upon such highways may be increased or decreased by the Commonwealth
Transportation Commissioner or other authority having jurisdiction over highways. However, such
increased or decreased maximum speed limit shall be effective only when indicated by sign on the
highway. For such highways upon which maximum speed limit is not indicated by sign, the
maximum speed limit shall be thirty-five miles per hour.
The provisions of this section shall apply only in counties having populations of at least 86,000 but
less than 170,000.
(2000, c. 262.)
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