06-09-1976 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATE OF MiNN ER) TA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAYS DISTRICT 9 3485 HADLEY AVENUE NORTH BOX 2050 NORTH ST. PAUL, MINN. SE1OS May 18, 1976 Mr. Joseph Chlebeck Clerk City of Little Canada 515 Little Canada Road Little Canada, Minnesota 55117 In reply refer to: 319 School Speed Limits Little Canada Dear Mr. Chlebeck: The 1975 Legislature gave local authorities additional responsibility and control of school zone safety by means of a "School Speed Limit ". School speed limits within a school zone can now be established by Little Canada on roads under its jurisdiction. The school speed limit must be based upon an engineering and traffic investigation as prescribed by the Commissioner of Highways. The attached booklet, "A Guide to Establishing Speed Limits in School Zones ", prescribes this investigation. The investigations outlined in this booklet show that school speed limits themselves do not automatically reduce vehicular speeds or accidents. A thorough investigation of the child's walking environment must be taken into consideration if any improvement in safety is to result. Also, the child should be educated to this environment. This booklet can be a very valuable tool in making a school zone safe not only for the child, but for the motorist and other pedestrians as well. The investigation outlined in the booklet is very similar to our "School Pedestrian Safety Program". This program was introduced about four years ago and involved not only school zones on trunk highways, but also included zones on local streets. The program has given us the opportunity to work very closely with many of the various School Districts. Our "School Pedestrian Safety Program" basically includes a school route plan and a school zone hazard evaluation. Proper evaluation of the school area will enable you to determine which walking routes can be made safest with the most assurance that these routes will be used. /1 AN EQUAL OPPORTUN;TY EMPLOYE-F'