West Point council ponders lower speeds

SLOW DOWN

If the city decides to lower their speed limit to 25 then (the county) would have to take a harder look at that transition. At the city limits it goes to 45 and, if we go to 25, they would probably want a buffer in there at 35 mph.”

Brad Roberts, West Point/Donnellson Police Chief

WEST POINT – West Point is looking at reducing the speed limit on the east side of town, which could result in the county also having to lower the speed limit.
West Point Police Chief Brad Roberts said he and the town's officers are seeing an uptick in pedestrian and vehicle traffic along that stretch of road and the cheapest way to make it safer would be to slow traffic down coming into town.
The speed limit currently is 25 mph by the town square and it increases to 35 eastbound at Pilot Grove Savings Bank to the city limits and then increases again to 45 at the city limits near Pollmiller Park.
“We’ve had talks over the last couple years about lowering those speed limits,” Roberts said.
“What I’m seeing on patrol, as well as the other officers, is an increase near Pollmiller. The county has done nice improvements over the past couple of years and poured bigger slabs which is bringing in larger RVs. I don’t have the numbers, but I’m sure Lee County Conservation can provide that.”
Robert said the increase in RV traffic and pedestrian traffic is also the result of the new trail going in.
“Lowering those speed limits is something that should be considered in addition to improving the trail there. That’s an expensive ticket so this is kind of the least expensive way to help with public safety,” he said.
He said lowering the speed limit from the bank to the city limits is a result of seeing motorists commonly going 5 to 10 mph hour over the speed limit which has motorists going 40 mph through town until they get to the bank. The addition of the new Archie’s auto repair center has also increased traffic around the intersection by the Jet Stop, so Roberts said the speed reduction would help with safety at that intersection, as well.
Mayor Loving said the intersection by the Jet Stop is a “crazy intersection anymore.”
Councilman Will Stuekerjuergen asked Roberts if the county had any reservations about moving the speed limit.
Roberts said County Engineer Ben Hull has parameters he has to operate within and his stance was to stay within those parameters. Those include DOT studies that show there is an increase in traffic accidents when speed limits are lowered.
“If the city decides to lower their speed limit to 25 then (the county) would have to take a harder look at that transition. At the city limits it goes to 45 and, if we go to 25, they would probably want a buffer in there at 35 mph,” Roberts said.
No decision was made on moving the speed limit, but it was part of the Mayor’s report to the. Council. Any movement to adjust the speed limit would come in the form a resolution to the council.
In an unrelated item, Mayor Joe Loving thanked the community and the board for his time as mayor and swore in new councilmembers Larry Buchholz and Wendy Vonderhaar, and swore in current councilmembers Stuekerjuergen, Brian Meierotto, and Bruce Wellman. He also swore in new West Point police officer Danny Douglas and incoming Mayor Gary Peitz.