Explanation
1. Background
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to request that the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) establish a reasonable and safe prima facie speed limit on Winchester Pike from Noe Bixby Road to Gender Road.
An engineering study conducted along Winchester Pike by the Franklin County Engineer’s Office in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.21 supports decreasing the speed limit from 55 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour on Winchester Pike from Noe Bixby Road to Gender Road. The Department of Public Service, Division of Traffic Management, reached the same conclusion after conducting its own investigation.
The Franklin County Board of Commissioners recently passed a resolution requesting ODOT investigate and determine a safe speed limit at this location. It is now necessary for the City of Columbus to enact similar legislation because a portion of Winchester Pike lies within City limits.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact to the City as a consequence of the passage of this legislation.
3. Emergency Designation
Emergency action is requested in the interest of public safety so as to allow the Franklin County Engineer’s Office to formally submit the results of its study to ODOT for review and approval as soon as reasonably practicable to ensure and enhance the safety of the traveling public.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Service to request that the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation establish a reasonable and safe prima facie speed on Winchester Pike from Noe Bixby Road to Gender Road; to repeal any and all speed limit ordinances and resolutions on said roadway; and to declare an emergency. ($0.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the current prima facie speed limit on Winchester Pike from Noe Bixby Road to Gender Road is 55 miles per hour; and
WHEREAS, an engineering study conducted by the Franklin County Engineer’s Office determined that a speed limit reduction would be appropriate at the aforementioned location; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.21 provides for the establishment of a reasonable and safe prima-facie speed limit under such conditions by ordinance enacted by a local authority; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service, Division of Traffic Management, reached the same conclusion after conducting its own investigation; and
WHEREAS, Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.21 provides for the establishment of a reasonable and safe prima-facie speed limit by the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation upon request from a local authority; and
WHEREAS, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners recently passed a resolution requesting ODOT investigate and determine a safe speed limit at the aforementioned location; and
WHEREAS, it is now necessary for the City of Columbus to enact similar legislation because a portion of Winchester Pike lies within City limits; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the daily operation of the Department of Public Service in that it is immediately necessary to authorize this legislation in the interest of public safety so as to allow the Franklin County Engineer’s Office to formally submit the results of its study to ODOT for review and approval as soon as reasonably practicable to ensure and enhance the safety of the traveling public, thereby preserving the public health, peace, property, safety, and welfare; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to request that the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation determine and declare, based upon the recommendation of the Department of Public Service, Division of Traffic Management, that the prima facie speed limit be lowered to 50 miles per hour on Winchester Pike from Noe Bixby Road to Gender Road on the basis of traffic engineering studies and investigations conducted under the direction of professional engineers.
SECTION 2. That any and all previous speed limit ordinances and resolutions on Winchester Pike between Noe Bixby Road and Gender Road, be and are hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after it passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.