009-03 (2)
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, ifnot 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, and a maximum posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour on treated
surfaced secondary highways pursuant to Section 46.2-870.
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 13th day of August 2003.
Upon motion made by
the above Resolution was
, and seconded by
by the following recorded vote:
Richard C. Shickle
W. Harrington Smith, Jr.
Margaret B. Douglas
Lynda J. Tyler
Robert M. Sager
Sidney A. Reyes
Gina A. Forrester
A COPY TESTE:
John R. Riley, Jr., Clerk
Board of Supervisors
Board Meeting of 08/13/03 - Resolution was not acted on at this time.
3 Voted to Schedule a Public Hearing on this Issue.
Resolution No. 009.0
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 946.2-873.1 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 946.2-870.
Ifit 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:\cih\JRR Correspondence\Speed Limits.wpd
107 North Kent Street . Winchester, Virginia 22601-5000
If flr-
COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Philip A. Shucet
COMMISSIONER
Ju1y 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 concem 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 shou1d 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 wou1d 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 shou1d 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 I can provide additional assistance.
ctc:e1Y,
(j::;~. Copp
Resident Engineer
VirginiaDOT.org
WE KEEP VIRGINIA MOVING
LIS> Code of Virginia > 46.2-873.1
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g 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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~ 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 (~ 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 (~ 56-
556 et seq.), and (vi) high-occupancy vehicle lanes if such lanes are physically separated from regular
travel lanes.
(Code 1950, ~ 46-212; 1950, p. 881; 1952, c. 666; 1954, c. 244; 1956, c. 364; 1958, c. 541, ~g 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. 1; 1998,cc.546,
560; 1999, c. 142; 2001, c. 298; 2002, c. 872; 2003, c. 838.)
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