Southlake City Council approved the second reading of an ordinance to reduce the speed limit from 40 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour along a section of North White Chapel Boulevard between Drum and Wingate lanes during its meeting Feb. 19.

The city closed the roadway, which includes the Kirkwood Branch Creek bridge, after it sustained heavy rainfall in October.

A design consultant hired for the bridge-repair project recommended a lower speed limit because its alignment and curved layout presents safety challenges, Southlake Public Works Director Rob Cohen said during a presentation to City Council.

Signage will be installed to notify drivers of the change, and the new speed limit will be enforced after the roadway reopens and repair work is completed, according to Feb. 7 city news release. The speed limit will remain 30 miles per hour until a new bridge can be installed, which may take years.

Staff aims to reopen that section of North White Chapel in mid-March, Cohen said.