New speed limits on South Carson Street slows traffic as area transitions to commercial zone
New speed limit zones have been put into place on South Carson Street, slowing down traffic as the area transitions from highway to commercial zone and as the finishing touches are added at the roundabout.
The new speeds are as follows:
- Within the South Carson Street corridor, speeds will remain 45 mph and above south of Clearview Avenue.
- Speeds are reduced to 35 mph between Clearview Avenue and Stewart Street.
- Speeds are further reduced to 25 mph north of Stewart Street and into the downtown sector.
“Considerable effort was put into these speed limits,” said Carson City Deputy Public Works Director Dan Stucky. “The project area is being converted from a state highway into a regional commercial corridor.”
The changes have happened as the area has gone into the transformation of the downtown sector during the last few years, from aesthetic improvements of the downtown area to the most recent addition, the South Carson and Stewart Street roundabout, which is used as an entrance into the downtown area.
The reason behind the speed limit changes is that with improvements to the downtown area, the city is anticipating higher pedestrian and bicyclist use of the South Carson Street corridor, as well as the “overall desired nature and functionality of the roadway," said Stucky.
A study was completed in 2018 which recommended the reduction in speed, according to Stucky, as a result of the narrowing of lanes, the number of lanes provided, and the increase in pedestrian traffic.
“The recommendation was confirmed in a study prepared by an independent traffic engineer hired to evaluate the traffic along the corridor which indicated the speed limits are appropriate starting points for the corridor,” said Stucky. “Staff intends to monitor the speed limits following construction of the project and evaluate or adjust as necessary.”
Motorists are encouraged to slow down in the area, as deputies have begun enforcing the new speed limits.