Trustees ask to cut speeds on 2 streets
7/12/2006Perrysburg Township officials are asking Wood County to consider lowering the speed limits on sections of Eckel Junction and Thompson roads.
The township wants to lower the limit on Eckel Junction, between State Rt. 199 and Thompson Road, from 45 mph to 35 mph. On the stretch of Thompson Road between U.S. 20 and Roachton Road, the maximum speed would drop from 55 mph to 35 mph.
Police Chief Ed Stribrny said the reductions are needed to accommodate future development as more subdivisions and businesses are established in the township and traffic on the narrow roads increases.
Township Administrator John Hrosko made the requests to Wood County Engineer Ray Huber, who was preparing to submit them to the Ohio Department of Transportation last week.
A subsequent study of the roads will include the area's population, number of vehicles and pedestrians on the roads, number of nearby buildings, and the road conditions, Mr. Huber said.
Township officials had discussed lowering the limit on Thompson between Roachton and Five Point roads as well but decided against it. Trustee Gary Britten said he thought it might be more difficult to get approval for a lower limit on that part of the road because development in the area is less dense.
Chief Stribrny also wants Ford Road, which carries traffic to and from the Penta Career Center, to be dedicated at 35 mph, because he expects the traffic to increase when the career center's new campus opens.
"We want to be able to control it," Chief Stribrny said.
Although Ford is currently posted with a 35-mph speed limit, it is dedicated at 45 mph, so the township cannot enforce the posted limit.
The township posted it at 35 mph because of complaints about traffic speeds, Chief Stribrny said.
The new Penta building is under construction on a site bounded by Bates, Buck, and Lime City roads and I-75.
Ford Road leads from St. Rt. 65 to Bates Road, which is near the site.
If a traffic study determines that the road cannot be dedicated at 35 mph, the township plans to change the posting to 45 mph, the chief said.