If the strip map contains only zones within the corporate limits of a city, the district should send two prints or an electronic version of the strip map to TRF for review. When TRF and the district have reached agreement on the proposed zones, the district should then request the city to pass an ordinance establishing the speed zones. After receiving the ordinance from the city, the district should retain the original strip map and ordinance for its use.

If a strip map submission contains adjacent altered speed zones situated both within and outside the corporate limits of a city, the district should send two prints or an electronic version of the strip map to TRF for review. When TRF and the district have reached agreement on the proposed zones, the district should then request the city to pass an ordinance establishing the zones within the city limits and TRF will write the necessary commission minute order. If there is an immediate need to post the speeds set by ordinance, signs may be installed for these zones prior to receiving a commission minute order on the adjacent section, as long as the city zone and adjacent existing rural zones are compatible.

Although TxDOT has the authority to alter the speed limits on highways within the corporate limits of cities or override a speed limit set by city ordinance on such highways, it is intended that studies be made and recommendations be presented to the city for their acceptance and passage of a city ordinance to establish city speed zones. TxDOT should make every effort to have reasonable speed limits established.

In the event that a city will not accept the zones within its corporate limits as submitted by the district, and it is not possible to reach an agreement with the city on reasonable and prudent speed limits, then the district should prepare one strip map showing the city’s preference and one strip map showing TxDOT’s recommendation. Both strip maps should be submitted to TRF along with the district’s request for Transportation Commission action for making one of the zones effective. When the commission minute order has been passed, the district should send a copy of the minute order, along with a copy of the strip map, to the city.

The setting of speed limits within a city by commission minute order should only be used as a

last resort

; TxDOT should make every effort to secure the cooperation of the city so that the zones will be set by city ordinance.

The original strip map tracings for rural roads and those within incorporated cities and towns where the Transportation Commission established the zones are kept on file at TRF. If additional copies of the strip map or the commission minute order are desired, they may be obtained from TRF.

After the Transportation Commission passes a minute order establishing a regulatory speed zone, the TxDOT administration will send copies of the minute order to the district.