By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Council appears ready to tap the brakes on an ordinance that would increase the speed limit on Ohio 25 to 60 mph on the north end of the city.
Earlier this year, the Ohio Department of Transportation was reviewing speed limits and noticed a discrepancy in the journalized speed and posted speed limit signs on North Main Street from Parkview Drive to Bishop Road.
The journalized speed limit for this segment of road was set at 45 mph in 1996. The city currently has posted speeds of 35 mph from Poe Road to the north driveway for Kroger, 45 mph from Kroger to Newton Road, and 50 mph from Newton Road to Bishop Road. North of Newton Road, the speed limit goes up to 60 mph.
Statutory speed limits can only be changed by ordinance or speed study. The city conducted a speed study, with the data suggesting the following recommendations for North Main Street:
- 35 mph speed zone remain unchanged from Poe Road to the north driveway of Kroger.
- 45 mph speed zone remain unchanged from Kroger north driveway to Newton Road.
- 60 mph speed zone replace the 50 mph zone from Newton Road to Bishop Road.
The city is asking council to submit the speed zones to ODOT for its review and journalization. One more reading of the ordinance is required before City Council can vote at its next meeting on Dec. 2.
ODOT District Traffic Engineer Chris Waterfield attended Monday’s meeting to answer questions from council members.
City Engineer Brad Holman reported that a speed study was conducted on Route 25 between Newton Road and Bishop Road. The study showed that while the posted speed there is 50 mph, 85% of the traffic was traveling faster.
“Most of us don’t drive based on a sign,” Waterfield said, noting that section of road feels different to drivers. It is flat terrain with no curves, no sidewalks, no curbs. “It doesn’t look or feel like you’re in the city anymore.”
Council member Bill Herald asked if increasing the speed limit to 60 mph would cause drivers to go even faster.
Not necessarily, Waterfield said. “People are driving at the speed limit they feel comfortable.”
Waterfield said that when Ohio interstates were 65 mph, the average speed driven was 67 mph. A year after Ohio interstates went up to 70 mph, the average driver had only slightly increased their speed to 68 mph.
Herald voiced his opposition to raising the limit to 60 – especially taking into consideration the additional development coming with Abbott Labs locating a plant at the southeast corner of Route 25 and Nims Road.
Plans call for a traffic light to be installed at the plant entrance.
Council member Jeff Dennis asked about the likelihood of more accidents on that stretch of road if the speed limit is increased. Waterfield replied that the frequency of crashes won’t change, but the seriousness would.
“Crash severity will increase,” Waterfield said.
Herald suggested that council approve the speed limit ordinance, except for the proposal to change the speed to 60 mph between Newton and Bishop roads. He recommended the city possibly perform a new speed study in that area once the Abbott Labs facility is operating.
“I’d rather err on the side of being lower,” he said. “We want to get it right.”
Dennis asked about the city issuing speeding tickets in areas with speed limits not being journalized. City Attorney Hunter Brown said that could raise issues.
