The city of Lewisville has been working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to reach a solution to a proposal that would lower the speed limit for a segment of SH 121.
The section of SH 121 being proposed is between Sam Rayburn Tollway and Valley Ridge Boulevard. The proposal would reduce the speed limit by 10 mph, from 60 mph to 50 mph.
Lewisville city staff says that the proposal is a result of a routine speed study conducted by the TxDOT, per Community Impact News. Lewisville Traffic Specialist Jason Walker says that the study was not prompted by a citizen or any specific incident. The study occurs every three to four years.
On January 23, the Lewisville City Council tabled the discussions, as seen in the February 6 agenda. The council said it would like to provide city staff with time to conduct its own analysis and discuss the potential change with TxDOT officials.
The city chose to perform its own study and got results that confirmed its belief that the speed limit should remain at 60 mph. 85th percentile speeds are used by the TxDOT to help them determine what the speed limit should be. Using the same methodology as the TxDOT, the city found that the 85th percentile is between 61 and 68 mph, as reported by Community Impact News.
In order to officially change the speed limit, the council must agree on an amendment to Section 15-35 of the Lewisville City Code. When the council met on February 6, they chose not to take action on the speed limit proposal.
“I actually think [city staff’s findings are] pretty accurate. That’s what I see when I’m out there,” Council Member Kristin Green said, as reported by Community Impact News.
Lewisville has shared the results from their study with the TxDOT Dallas District for further discussion about the proposal to decrease the speed limit.