The Lincoln Township Board of Trustees has formally requested lower speed limits on four roads under a recent change to state law.
Trustees were told Tuesday the new change to Michigan law allows local governments to petition Michigan State Police for new speed limits on roads, even if the request deviates from the speeds recommended through traditional methods.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Trustees heard from Berrien County Commissioner Bob Harrison, a resident on Ridge Road. He said there have long been complaints that drivers go too fast for safety on Ridge between Glenlord and Marquette Woods.
“The speeds have picked up, the number of walkers, dog walkers, bike riders, on Ridge has also increased, and I think that’s a function of just an older population out trying to get exercise,” Harrison said.
Harrison said it’s gotten much worse since MDOT closed Exit 23 of I-94 for construction. Several residents chimed in with Harrison about their own roads. Lincoln Township Supervisor Dick Stauffer told us the people should get what they want.
“The Ridge Road people have made it very, very clear,” Stauffer said. “I think probably everybody there had a signed petition. All the HOAs and the residents, it was overwhelming. So that was clear. And if those residents have an issue, the other residents have an issue.”
Trustees approved a resolution asking for lower speed limits on the mentioned section of Ridge Road, Glenlord Road from Red Arrow Highway to Ridge, Washington Avenue from John Beers to Glenlord, and Roosevelt Road from Maquette Woods to the road’s end.
Trustees are asking for speed decreases of at least five miles per hour, depending on what state law allows. They were careful not to ask for new speed studies, which could potentially lead to higher limits because they measure what speed most drivers actually go. Rather, the boar of trustees is asking that previous speed studies, done before COVID, be used.
