Report Prepared by: Daryl Jordan P.E., City Engineer, Engineering Division
Title
SUBJECT: Acceptance of the Addendum to the City of Merced Speed Study Speed Limits for Selected Segments on North Bear Creek Drive, Mansionette Drive, and Olive Avenue
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers accepting the Addendum to the City of Merced Speed Study, performed by JLB Traffic Engineering, Inc. for the Speed Limits for Selected Segments on North Bear Creek Drive, Mansionette Drive, and Olive Avenue.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion accepting the addendum to the City of Merced Speed Study Speed limits for the Selected Segments on North Bear Creek Drive, Mansionette Drive, and Olive Avenue.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve, as recommended by staff; or,
2. Approve, subject to modifications as conditioned by City Council; or,
3. Refer to staff for reconsideration of specific items; or,
4. Deny.
AUTHORITY
Charter of the City of Merced, Section 200 et seq.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
2025-2026 Council Priorities, Pedestrian Safety.
DISCUSSION
The City is required by law to perform an Engineering and Traffic Study (Speed Zone Study) every seven years if we wish to continue to use radar for speed enforcement. According to the California Vehicle Code (CVC), the City will not be able to use radar for enforcement of speed zones if the Speed Zone Study is not performed; the previous study was done in 2017. City staff performed a 2025 study, which is now completed, and the ordinance was adopted at the January 20, 2026 City Council meeting.
The City contracted with JLB Traffic Engineering (JLB) to conduct the recent Engineering and Traffic Survey. The purpose of these surveys is to recommend the speed limits appropriate for enforcement and to provide any recommended speed limit changes in accordance with current State of California regulations and guidelines.
The scope and objectives of the speed study were based upon definitions of terms and guidelines as established by the state legislature and the California Vehicle Code. The speed study procedure included location selection, data collection, data analysis and evaluation among others. In addition, the speed study includes the existing posted speed limit, median speed, critical speed (85th percentile), pace speed, and recommended speed limit. The ordinance identifies each location studied along with the recommended speed limit.
JLB conducted the study over several months and offered their recommendation for the new speed limits in the City. Based on JLB’s recommendation and the “California Manual for Setting Speed Limits,” published in 2020 by Caltrans, it states a speed limit can be adjusted no more than 5 miles per hour if the City Engineer or Traffic Engineer can provide valid justification. Based on this guideline, the speed limit at several locations were adjusted because the 85% field data observed or locations in close proximity to a school, residential homes, or geometry of the road.
History and Past Actions
On October 4, 2024, City Council approved a supplemental appropriation from Fund 2001 (Former) Measure C in the amount of $115,000 to conduct a speed zone study.
On October 21, 2024, the City of Merced contracted with JLB Traffic Engineering to conduct the speed zone study.
On November 3, 2025, City Council set a public hearing date of November 17, 2025, to adopt Ordinance 2584 to amend Section 10.16.010, “Speed Limits.”
On November 17, 2025, JLB Traffic Engineering attended the City Council meeting to present the speed study findings and their recommendations for increases and decreases of speed limits. Council raised concerns on three segments and requested those streets be reevaluated.
At the December 15, 2025 meeting, Council approved the traffic study and requested that the three segments be analyzed further. These include the segments of North Bear Creek Drive between M Street and G Street, Mansionette Drive between Yosemite Avenue and Mercy Avenue, and Olive Avenue between R Street and M Street.
The consultant has evaluated the three segments as requested and provided an addendum to the original traffic study. After evaluation, JLB concluded that the existing speed limits for those segments should remain unchanged.
Staff recommends approving the amendment to the 2025 Engineering and Traffic Surveys performed by JLB Traffic Engineering, Inc. to accept the findings keeping the above referenced three street segments unchanged as currently codified in Ordinance 2584.
IMPACT ON CITY RESOURCES
None at this time.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2025 Engineering and Traffic Surveys Addendum
2. Ordinance 2584 - Adopted Jan 2026