SF 3106

1st Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 03/18/2010 12:11pm

A bill for an act
relating to traffic regulations; modifying provisions governing speed limits
in highway work zones; amending Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.14,
subdivision 5d.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 169.14, subdivision 5d, is amended to read:

Subd. 5d.

Speed zoning in work zone; surcharge.

(a) The commissioner, on
trunk highways and temporary trunk highways, and local authorities, on streets and
highways under their jurisdiction, may authorize the use of reduced maximum speed
limits in highway work zones. The commissioner or local authority is not required to
conduct an engineering and traffic investigation before authorizing a reduced speed limit
in a highway work zone.

(b) The minimum highway work zone speed limit is 20 miles per hour. The work
zone speed limit must not reduce the established speed limit on the affected street or
highway by more than 15 miles per hour, except that the highway work zone speed limit
must not exceed 40 miles per hour. The commissioner or local authority shall post the
limits of the work zone. Highway work zone speed limits are effective on erection of
appropriate regulatory speed limit signs. The signs must be removed or covered when
they are not required. A speed greater than the posted highway work zone speed limit is
unlawful.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (b), on divided highways the commissioner or local
authority may establish a highway work zone speed limit that does not exceed 55 miles
per hour.

(d) new text begin Notwithstanding paragraph (b), on two-lane highways having one lane for
each direction of travel with a posted speed limit of 60 miles per hour or greater, the
commissioner or local authority may establish a highway work zone speed limit that
does not exceed 40 miles per hour.
new text end

new text begin (e) new text end For purposes of this subdivision, "highway work zone" means a segment of
highway or street where a road authority or its agent is constructing, reconstructing, or
maintaining the physical structure of the roadway, its shoulders, or features adjacent to
the roadway, including underground and overhead utilities and highway appurtenances,
when workers are present.

deleted text begin (e) deleted text end new text begin (f) new text end Notwithstanding section 609.0331 or 609.101 or other law to the contrary, a
person who violates a speed limit established under deleted text begin paragraph (b) or (c) deleted text end new text begin this subdivision new text end ,
or who violates any other provision of this section while in a highway work zone, is
assessed an additional surcharge equal to the amount of the fine imposed for the speed
violation, but not less than $25.