Keeping the streets safe
By Julie Engel | Argus Observer
Tuesday, May 15, 2007 11:04 AM PDT
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| A fluorescent orange flag signals the change of speed limit on U.S. Business 95 from Sixth Avenue South to Third Avenue South in Payette. With the Apple Blossom Festival this week and summer break not far away, Payette Mayor Doug Henderson decided to change the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph to promote pedestrian safety near Kiwanis Park. |
Payette — Drivers along U.S. Business 95 may have noticed a speed limit change near Kiwanis Park in Payette.
The shift from 35 mph to 25 mph from Sixth Avenue South to Third Avenue South along U.S. Business 95 occurred Thursday, Payette Mayor Doug Henderson said.
The curvy section of road presented challenges to pedestrians trying to cross, which will be alleviated this week during the Apple Blossom Festival.
“It’s a dangerous area there, especially with Apple Blossom coming up,” Henderson said.
The Idaho Transportation Department is conducting traffic studies on four or five areas in Payette, Henderson said. Even though U.S. Business 95 is under ITD’s umbrella, Henderson said he has the authority to modify speed limits within city limits if public safety is concerned. Even though bright yellow pedestrian signs mark crosswalks from Kiwanis Park, the 35 mph speed ceiling limited drivers’ abilities to slow down for pedestrians.
“It’s an unsafe section of U.S. 95, with the S-curve,” Henderson said.
Payette Police Chief Mark Clark said the stretch is one of the most congested areas in city limits and there have been more pedestrians hit in that area than any other in Payette. The department and city have been toying with the idea of reducing the speed limit for quite a while, Clark said.
“We’ve had more pedestrians hit in that stretch, more than any other, in city limits,” Clark said. “We’ve had several traffic accidents within that stretch — we’re trying to prevent injury.”
The speed reduction also helps drivers to enter the highway, Clark said. A section of the stretch has several intersections, and Clark said those intersections have become more congested with the increased population.
“We’re hoping by reducing the speed limit it will help us out in the traffic accidents and pedestrian injuries,” Clark said.
Henderson said the change is on a trial basis, but it makes sense for the summer months because children use the park and the swimming pool frequently.
The change will be re-evaluated during the fall or winter, Henderson said, taking into account public comments and effectiveness of the 25 mph zone.
No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:
And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.
Disgusting. "