hooper1961
The speed limit per the 85th speed would be 45 to 50 MPH on the section of SW Admiral Way. In fact one of the analysis programs I investigated recommended a Speed Limit of 45 MPH. I used the methodology developed by King County that includes a number of factors (pedestrians, driveways, alignment, lane width etc). Using very conservative inputs resulted in a 35 MPH recommendation. Using less conservative input results in a 40 MPH recommendation. Thus per Nationally recognized procedures the average speed limit recommendation is 40 MPH, 35 MPH is technically reasonable (that is what was posted for years prior to June 2006, and it operated safely and efficiently).
Your interpretation is correct; fortunately most motorists are reasonable making your point moot. Further, there are engineering factors to account for. The SDOT simply failed to adhere to recognized criteria and the result is a less safe Arterial Street corridor.