Speed Limit on FM 2499

[admin]

Submitted by the City of Highland Village:


Council Approves First Read of Ordinance Setting Speed Limit on FM 2499

At the November 8 meeting, Council approved the first read of an ordinance setting the speed limit on FM 2499.

The Texas Department of Transportation recently conducted a speed study on FM 2499 and recommended setting a speed limit of 45 mph within Highland Village city limits. The City requested TxDOT consider other factors such as the number of wide median cuts and driveways near FM 407, the high volume of traffic crossing the roadway at the two major retail centers and the two major parks and neighborhoods utilizing the trail system pedestrian crossings on FM 2499. Additionally, the City requested a lower speed limit in the area from FM 407 north to the Northwood/Castlewood intersection.

TxDOT agreed to the City’s requests and proposed a 40 mph speed limit on FM 2499 from FM 407 to 528 feet north of Highland Shores/Castlewood Boulevard intersection.

The second read of this ordinance will be considered at a special Council meeting scheduled for Monday, November 21 at 12:00 p.m.

“As the city continues to work toward completing the FM 2499 landscape project, we are pleased to have negotiated a safe speed limit for the section of FM 2499 through our neighborhoods. The council will continue to work hard to make safety a top priority throughout Highland Village. I appreciate the work city staff put in working with TXDOT on finalizing the speed study and the speed limits along section four of FM2499,” stated Mayor Scott McDearmont.

[JKTex]

The City requested TxDOT consider other factors such as the number of wide median cuts and driveways near FM 407, the high volume of traffic crossing the roadway at the two major retail centers and the two major parks and neighborhoods utilizing the trail system pedestrian crossings on FM 2499.

As many times as I go up that way at all different times and days, I can say I've seen people on that "trail system" 1 time. As for the traffic crossing......now with traffic slowing to 40 MPH through there, maybe the people that don't think they need to stop when leaving a parking lot, or stop in the median will have a better shot at crossing without stopping at all. So the increase in wrecks may be broadsides at lower speeds. I've see a couple of pretty good ones already, from the driveways furthest north. Last one was 3 cars that looked like 2 in the drive were hit because 1 pulled straight out and ended up pushed in to the other one when the ND 2499 driver broadsided them. People like to make u-turns with no care about oncoming traffic too.

If people simply respect ROW, traffic will flow better, safer and not as slow. But that ain't gonna happen so we might as well coddle them/make it easier.

It's funny how this major north south corridor is being treated now that it's in. Can't wait until it punched further north and see what happens.