County reviews speed limit on Manhattan Road

While no one is denying the existence of safety issues along Manhattan Road, exactly how to address them remains a topic of discussion.

Col. Tom Helmer of the Putnam County Sheriff's Department presented the findings of a recent speed study to the Putnam County Commissioners on Monday.

Having reviewed speeds in the area from County Road 300 South to County Road 450 South, Helmer does not recommend dropping the posted speed limit from 45 to 35 mph.

"Due to the speed survey, I don't feel we can justify lowering the speed limit to 35 mph without it being called a 'speed trap,'" Helmer wrote in his findings.

The deputy monitored the area three different times over the course of two days, finding an average speed of 47.54 one day, and an average of 50.19 mph the other.

Helmer continued that enforcement would be difficult and unsafe.

"It would also be very difficult to enforce a lower speed limit as there are very limited areas to safely stop vehicles for enforcement purposes," Helmer wrote.

The limited areas underscore another safety issue on the heavily traveled road, its lack of shoulders.

A recent accident in which a semi tanker filled with cement overturned in the area had little to do with speed, and more to do with a very narrow road for such a large vehicle.

Helmer offered another solution to this sort of problem, suggesting the county examine the possibility of banning vehicles in excess of 26,000 pounds on the road, with the exception of local deliveries.

"There are a large number of semi tractor-trailers and tri-axle dump trucks using the road on a daily basis from U.S. 40 to the Buzzi Unicem facilty and their return," Helmer wrote.

Besides the lack of shoulder space, he pointed out the wear such vehicles are causing on the road.

Commissioner Don Walton expressed mixed feelings about what to do on the road, pointing out that he was recently passed illegally three times while driving the stretch of road.

Sharon Hammond, a resident of the area, was even more direct in discussing the speeds once people are south of Limedale.

"It's as if someone drops a flag when they see that 45 mph sign," Hammond said. "People are just using deadly speeds."

She added that an increase in the number of families with children in the area should also being taken into consideration before a decision is made.

The commissioners took no vote on the issue, choosing instead to gather more information and review it again at an upcoming meeting.