Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Will Rochester motorists face lower speed limits next year?

A state law that took effect Aug. 1st permits cities to lower the speed limit from 30 to 25 mph on certain streets if certain steps are taken first.

The City Council is scheduled to discuss the issue at its Monday study session. It's being asked to consider a staff proposal to adopt “a new ordinance giving authority to the City Engineer to set speed limits.”

The state law says the “speed limit shall be 25 miles per hour on residential roadways if adopted by the road authority having jurisdiction over the residential roadway. “ A residential roadway is described as “ a city street or town road that is either (1) less than one‐half mile in total length, or (2) in an area zoned exclusively for housing that is not a collector or arterial street.” Speed limit signs must be posted on the streets where changes will be made.

If the council agrees with the proposal, staff will develop procedures for making the change and recommends $50,000 be included in the 2020 budget to pay for new signs.

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