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 Gatlin Avenue from Conway Gardens Road to SR 15/Conway Road from 35 mph to 30 mph. District 3. (Traffic Engineering Division)
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PROJECT: N/A
PURPOSE:
The Crystal Lake Area Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Traffic Calming Study was undertaken to identify strategies for improving bicycle and pedestrian conditions and for better managing vehicular speeds. As part of this effort, the Study Consultant (HDR, Inc.) conducted a comprehensive assessment of vehicular and pedestrian safety, traffic volumes, roadway geometry, and crash history along the study corridors. Recommendations were developed to enhance conditions for all roadway users and to address concerns raised by 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 Gatlin Avenue is 35 mph. This corridor is classified as C4 - Urban General, which allows for a target speed range of 25 to 45 mph. Field observations show that the current 85th percentile speeds range from 36.9 to 40.1 mph. Crash data analysis indicates that 36.5% of reported crashes in the study area resulted in injuries or fatalities. Considering the road context, crash statistics, pedestrian activity, and prevailing speeds, Traffic Engineering concurs with the Study Consultant’s recommendation of reducing the posted speed limit to 30 mph from Conway Gardens Road to SR 15/Conway Road. Traffic Engineering will continue to monitor the corridor as the study recommendations are implemented to further encourage speed compliance where appropriate
BUDGET: N/A