Explanation
BACKGROUND
This ordinance authorizes the Director of Public Service to request the Ohio Department of Transportation to establish a safe operating speed on Morse Road from Hamilton Road to US 62 (Johnstown Road).
Engineering studies conducted in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 4511.21 support confirming the current prima-facie speed limit as 45 miles per hour. The existing speed limit has never been journalized with ODOT.
Title
To request that the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation establish the prima-facie speed limit in the westbound lane of Morse Road from Hamilton Road to US 62 (Johnstown Road) as 45 miles per hour, and to repeal any and all speed limit ordinances and resolutions on said roadway.
Body
WHEREAS, the current prima-facie speed limit on Morse Road from Hamilton Road to US 62 (Johnstown Road) is 45 miles per hour in the westbound lane and 50 miles per hour in the eastbound lane; and
WHEREAS, traffic engineering studies and investigations performed under the direction of a professional engineer indicate a posted speed of 45 miles per hour is reasonable and safe under existing conditions; and
WHEREAS, the corporation line between Columbus and Gahanna runs along the centerline of Morse Road in this section; and
WHEREAS, the City of Gahanna will pass legislation to lower the speed limit in the eastbound lane to 45 miles per hour; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus will continue to monitor traffic crashes and volumes and revise necessary regulations to promote a safe roadway operation; and
WHEREAS, the Transportation and Pedestrian Commission approved this speed limit reduction on March 12, 2013; and
WHEREAS, Section 4511.21 of the Ohio Revised Code provides for the establishment of a reasonable and safe prima-facie speed limit under such conditions by the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation upon request of a local authority; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Ohio, Department of Public Service, Division of Planning and Operations, recommends a reasonable and safe prima-facie speed limit of 45 miles per hour be established for the westbound lane of Morse Road from Hamilton Road to US 62(Johnstown Road); now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That any and all previous speed limit ordinances and resolutions on Morse Road from Hamilton Road to US 62 (Johnstown Road) be and are hereby repealed.
SECTION 2. That, upon the basis of the aforesaid engineering and traffic investigations, it is hereby determined that a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour for the westbound lane of Morse Road from Hamilton Road to US 62 (Johnstown Road) is reasonable and safe under existing conditions.
SECTION 3. That the Director of the Ohio Department of Transportation is hereby requested to review the engineering and traffic investigation and to determine and declare a reasonable and safe prima-facie speed limit of 45 miles per hour for the westbound lane of Morse Road from Hamilton Road to US 62 (Johnstown Road).
SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.