Committee says South Boundary Street speed limit should remain the same

The speed limit on South Boundary Street slow to 20 mph near Frank Elementary School in Perrysburg.

While a recent study concluded that the speed limit on South Boundary Street through Perrysburg could be raised, the city's Service Safety Committee declined today to send such a recommendation to council.

The speed limit on one of the city's main thoroughfares will remain 25 mph, with two restricted speed school zones, in the stretch between St. Rte. 25 and U.S 20.

Committee members said motorists had requested an increase to 35 mph but noted that the speed zone study calculated the general flow of traffic on the road to be 38 mph. 

"That actually is what the effective use speed is," councilman Thomas Mackin said.

The study, performed by Proudfoot Associates consulting engineers, compiled a three-year crash summary and conducted a speed check at four locations over two days.

Calculations were based on 100 laser-metered checks of free-flow speed in each direction at four locations; test runs to perceive comfortable speed for the roadway and conditions; characteristics such as alignment and sight distances; features such as signage and pavement markings; and traffic volume data, as well as the crash report.

The analysis stated 35 mph would be appropriate for South Boundary in compliance with the Ohio Revised Code's section on through highways within a municipal area.

Committee chairman John Kevern said the recommendation was not enough reason to change the speed limit, noting that the increase had been requested by motorists, some who had received speeding tickets.

Councilman Michael Olmstead said the number of citations issued on South Boundary and the speeds for which a violation was addressed were not extraordinary and that leeway was being given to motorists already.

Mr. Mackin said raising the speed limit to 35 mph might result in motorists traveling even faster, which would require additional law enforcement in the area.

"That's not the right thing for our police to be doing," he said.

Mr. Mackin said raising the speed limit on South Boundary was not the right thing to do now but that the issue could be revisited in the future, along with other roadways' speed limits that might warrant review.

South Boundary resident Arlynne Nowland, who lives directly across from Perrysburg Junior High School, said she was relieved the matter would not come before council.

"They seemed very sensitive to the concerns of the safety issue, of the pedestrians especially," she said.

Contact Rebecca Conklin Kleiboemer at 419-356-8786, rconklin@theblade.com, or on Twitter @RebeccaConklinK.