Speed limit changes get unanimous approval

McMinnville officials have voted unanimously to increase several speed limits around the city.

The changes will take effect immediately if the measure passes its second vote Jan. 22, and as soon as the new signs are posted.

McMinnville Police Department recommended the changes in October. At that time, the increases included roads in front of two schools, Warren County High School and Boyd Christian School.

Before making the recommendation, city officials ‘ Public Works director Bill Brock, McMinnville Police Capt. Mike Lane and Major Bryan Denton ‘ drove through the areas, taking into account congestion, citation records, past accidents and whether streets were in a residential or commercial area.

Once the recommendations were published in an issue of the Southern Standard, aldermen received several calls concerned with raising speed limits on streets in front of schools. Those were removed from consideration.

Public Works will have the job of changing the following speed limits if the measure passes on second read. Since it passed unanimously on first read, there isn’t expected to be a problem.

‘ Main Street will be changed to 25 mph.

‘ Vervilla Road, beginning at its intersection with Highway 286 and proceeding to its intersection with Highway 55 South to Pioneer Lane, will change to 30 mph.

‘ A speed of 45 mph for South Chancery Street/Vervilla Road north to Viola Road, 40 mph from Viola Road continuing north to Frank G. Clement Bridge, and 40 mph from Pioneer Lane south to Stonecreek Blvd.

‘ Beersheba Street, beginning at the city limits and continuing to its intersection with Colville Street, will change to 35 mph.

‘ Belmont Drive will change to 40 mph.

‘ Morrison Street, beginning at Arrowhead Drive and proceeding south to the railroad tracks, will change to 40 mph. From the railroad tracks proceeding south to S. Chancery Street will change to 45.

‘ New Smithville Highway, from the city limits to its intersection with Needmore Road, will change to 40 mph. New Smithville Highway, from its intersection with Needmore Road inbound will change to 35 mph.

‘ 70S Bypass from the Angels Bridge west to the city limits will change to 55 mph. From the city limits east to the Angels Bridge, the speed limit will change to 55 mph. From the Angels Bridge east to the Hospital Zone, the speed limit will change to 45.

After being questioned by Alderman Patti Nunley, McMinnville Police Department will give motorists a little time to adjust to the changes, up or down. Although, the only concern will be the one speed limit that went down, Main Street from 30 to 25 mph.