Interoffice Memorandum
DATE: May 28, 2026
TO: Mayor Jerry L. Demings and County Commissioners
THROUGH: N/A
FROM: Joseph C. Kunkel, P.E., Director, Public Works Department
CONTACT: Humberto L. Castillero, P.E., PTOE, Manager
PHONE: (407) 836-7891
DIVISION: Traffic Engineering Division
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approval to decrease the speed limit on Edgewood Ranch Road from Steer Lake Road to Old Winter Garden Road from 40 mph to 35 mph. District 6. (Traffic Engineering Division)
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PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE:
The Edgewood Ranch Road and Steer Lake Road Traffic Calming Study was conducted to identify strategies for managing vehicular speeds more effectively and to evaluate opportunities for targeted safety enhancements and traffic-calming measures.
As part of this effort, the Study Consultant (HDR, Inc.) completed a comprehensive assessment of existing conditions, including land use, vehicular speeds and volumes, roadway geometry, pedestrian and bicycle activity, and crash history along the study corridors. The consultant developed recommendations intended to improve conditions for all roadway users and address concerns raised by area residents.
The Florida Department of Transportation uses a Context Sensitive Road classification when determining Target Speed. This is the speed at which vehicles should operate on a thoroughfare in a specific context, consistent with the level of multi-modal activity generated by adjacent land uses, providing both mobility and a supportive environment for vehicles, pedestrians, bicycles, and public transit users.
The existing posted speed on Edgewood Ranch Road is 40 mph. This corridor is classified as C3R - Suburban Residential, which allows for a target speed range of 35 to 55 mph. Field observations show that the current 85th percentile speeds range from 47.3 to 47.5 mph on Edgewood Ranch Road. Crash data analysis from the study indicates that 9% of reported crashes on the Edgewood Ranch Road and Steer Lake Road corridors resulted in serious injuries or fatalities. Considering the frequent elevation changes, pedestrian activity, proximity to an elementary school, and prevailing speeds, Traffic Engineering concurs with the Study Consultant’s recommendation of reducing the posted speed limit to 35 mph. Traffic Engineering will continue to monitor the corridor as the study recommendations are implemented to further encourage speed compliance where appropriate.
BUDGET: N/A