Search Articles:

 

Breaking News......... BREAKING NEWS: Storm knocks out power, ignites wildfires in Helena......... Shakespeare in the Parks hit hard by recession, trying not to fold......... Janitor finds historic artifacts in Montana Capitol trash pile......... RACE UPDATE: Last finisher crosses line at Missoula Marathon in 8 hours, 45 minutes......... Local News......... The few, the proud: Sylvia Granader belonged to elite group of women pilots who served in the armed forces during World War II........Downtown Missoula building will be tall and eco-friendly........Officials swamped with applications for concealed weapon permits........Schweitzer accused of political cronyism by appointing Democrats to state positions........GOP, Dems spar over Noonan appointment........Crash course: No surprise - Reserve Street has most wrecks in county........

Whoa, Nellie. No more giddyap through the Rattlesnake Valley.

The request isn't actually for cowgirls on horses, but for drivers in cars. It isn't official, but it's in the works.

Ward 1 Councilman Jason Wiener is recommending the Missoula City Council make speed limits in the Rattlesnake Valley a uniform 25 mph. Currently, the limit is 35 mph in some places and 25 mph in others.

The Public Works Committee is expected to take up the matter on Wednesday in council chambers. That committee often meets at 2:05 p.m., and the city clerk confirms the time Monday at the council's regular meeting.

Back in April, Rattlesnake residents asked the city to reduce posted speed limits. The Public Works Department completed a speed study of the area, with three speed recorders on Rattlesnake Drive and one on Greenough Drive. But engineers concluded the data don't justify a lower speed limit.

“The department does not recommend any reduction to the posted speeds,” says the speed study. “The posted speeds show close correlation to the observed average and 85th percentile operating speeds on these roads.”

According to the study, the recommended speed limit is generally between the average speed and the 85th percentile speed, or the speed at or below that which 85 percent of the drivers are traveling. And in the Rattlesnake, according to the study, that means 35 mph.

Other factors count, too, the study says. Accidents count, and they happen relatively infrequently on those roads. Other relevant features are wildlife, school zones, parks and road character.

“These factors are known and accounted for by most local drivers that use these road sections regularly,” the study says. “Most drivers travel at the speed they perceive to be safe and reasonable for the observed conditions. A local driver will incorporate these known factors in their driving behavior.”

Regardless, some folks want the limit set at 25 mph, and the conversation roared to life earlier this week.

“Considering that human life and wildlife are prevalent on the Rattlesnake roadways, 25 mph seems like a very reasonable speed (knowing people will go 30 without getting ticketed),” Bob Giordano, executive director of the Missoula Institute for Sustainable Transportation, wrote in an e-mail. “A 35 mph speed limit (knowing people will go 40 mph without getting ticketed) is too dangerous to tolerate.”

Also, Ward 1 Councilman Dave Strohmaier is proposing the City Council have authority over speed limits. Currently, the city engineer sets speed limits with agreement from the council, but Public Works bypassed the council earlier in moving a sign. According to Strohmaier's referral, changing Missoula's ordinance would make it more in line with Montana laws.

“This amendment is intended to more accurately reflect state statutes ... which vest the City Council with the authority to establish and change speed limits,” Strohmaier wrote.

Reporter Keila Szpaller can be reached at 523-5262 or at keila.szpaller@missoulian.com.

---

---

Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)

---