HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-26-18 Public Comment - R. Zimmer (on behalf of the PTS Committee) - Speed Limit I-90From: Robin Crough
To: Agenda
Subject: FW: suggested motion for March 5 Commission action item
Date: Monday, February 26, 2018 9:22:05 PM
Importance: High
From: Ralph Zimmer [mailto:RalphZimmer@mcn.net]
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 9:17 PM
To: Robin Crough <RCrough@BOZEMAN.NET>
Cc: Andrea Surratt <ASurratt@BOZEMAN.NET>; Greg Sullivan <gsullivan@BOZEMAN.NET>; Josh
Waldo <JWaldo@BOZEMAN.NET>; Steve Crawford <SCrawford@BOZEMAN.NET>; Craig Woolard
<CWoolard@BOZEMAN.NET>; Chris Mehl <CMehl@BOZEMAN.NET>
Subject: suggested motion for March 5 Commission action item
Importance: High
Monday, February 26, 2018
Robin,
You have told me that the City Commission is expecting to discuss the proposal
originating with Fire Chief Waldo to lower the I-90 speed limit to 65 MPH. The Bozeman
(Area) Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee has unanimously supported that proposal. On
behalf of that proposal, I and others have been in communication with the Montana
Department of Transportation MDT) and have actually met face to face with the State
Transportation Commission in Helena.
Based on that involvement, I am convinced what the City Commission really needs to do
is pass the following motion (or one VERY similar to it):
The Bozeman City Commission requests the State promptly establish a temporary
reduced speed limit of 65 MPH on I-90 everywhere within the Bozeman city limits and
further encourages the State to extend that 65 MPH speed limit outwards from the
Bozeman city limits as appropriate.
Since this is the action that would be the best for Bozeman, I strongly encourage
you to cite this in the agenda as the "Motion to be Considered".
A "temporary" speed limit is requested because under State law that is the avenue most
likely to get the speed limit changed at the earliest possible date. The temporary limit would
subsequently need to be made permanent but that might actually be several years down the
road. (The 65 MPH limit on the Interstate in Butte was a temporary limit for eight years
before it was made permanent.)
The State Transportation Commission is the governmental body that legally establishes
the Interstate speed limits. Thus what the City needs is appropriate action by the State
Transportation Commission. However, that body will rely heavily on whatever
recommendations MDT makes to it. Thus I am suggesting above is the generic word "State".
From a traffic safety perspective, the proposed 65 MPH speed limit needs to cover more
than just the Bozeman city limits. PTS recommended it run all the way from west of the
Amsterdam entrance ramp to Jackson Creek. However, in recognition of the fact that the
Bozeman City Commission's jurisdictional boundary is restricted to inside the city limits, the
wording suggested above is intentionally very specific in requesting action within the city
limits but also encouraging action beyond the city limits.
FYI, the County Commission is tenttively scheduling the proposed 65 MPH speed limit
for action on March 13. We have initiated contacts with Belgrade City staff relative to the
possible reconsideration of this issue by their City Council. We are optimistic that the State
Transportation Commission will discuss this issue at its April 19 meeting and the deadline for
getting on that agenda is March 16.
I would be overjoyed to reply to any questions you, Greg Sullivan, or anyone else
might have.
Ralph
Ralph W. Zimmer, Chairperson
Bozeman (Area) Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee
586-9152
cc: Andrea Surratt
Greg Sullivan
Josh Waldo
Steve Crawford
Craig Woolard
Chris Mehl
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