Eastbound traffic passes a 30 mph digital speed limit sign on Highland Ave. North just west of North Broadway and the KC Road Tuesday

NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioner Scott Windschitl voiced concerns Tuesday to Brown County Highway Engineer Wayne Stevens about the 30 mph speed limit on CR 13 (now Highland Ave. North) near North Broadway and the KC Road.

“I’d like have the speed limit checked for that section of CR 13 to see if it could be increased to 45 miles an hour. There are no driveways on that stretch of road. There are curves and streets (intersections)” said Commissioner Windschitl.

“You may be able to take the curve at a speed faster than it’s designed for. A speed study takes time. I’ll check it,” Stevens said.

“I’m not saying for sure we want to do it. I’d like to take a look at speed study,” said Commissioner Windschitl.

Stevens said radar speed data can be reviewed too determinate what traffic speeds are on the road. He said a speed study would be done by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) District 7 Traffic Engineer’s office based in Mankato.

New Ulm Police heard a number of speeding complaints on the new North Highland Ave. road that opened in the fall of 2022 and was completed last spring.

“We put some officers out there and the county put up a speed sign. Residents said that helped slow things down a bit,” said New Ulm Police Commander Dean Barstad.

Stevens said the new digital speed limit sign on North Highland flashes a light on northbound traffic moving at more than 30 mph.

Minnesota Statute 169.14 establishes statutory speed limits on most typical roadways under ideal conditions. Unless otherwise posted, speed limits are 10 mph in alleys, 30 mph on streets in urban districts, 55 mph on other roads, 65 mph on expressways and urban interstate highways and 70 mph on rural interstate highways.

All other speed limits are set by the Commissioner of Transportation based on an engineering and traffic investigation. Factors to consider include a test drive results speed study, road type and condition, location and type of access points (intersections, entrances, pedestrian access, etc), sufficient roadway length (1/4 mile minimum), existing traffic control devices (signs, signals, etc). crash history, traffic volume, sight distances (curve, hill, etc.) and travel speed samples.

For more information, visit https://www.dot.state.mn.us/speed/