Traverse City Record-Eagle

East Bay

November 17, 2008

Officials review speed limits on area roads

By BRIAN McGILLIVARY

TRAVERSE CITY -- East Bay Township Supervisor Glen Lile admits he speeds just about every day.

A new study shows he's not alone.

The Grand Traverse County Road Commission and Michigan State Police are reviewing posted speed limits on seven different roads in four townships, including Lile's regular path on Four Mile Road in East Bay Township. They're expected to suggest speed limit changes that could place Lile and others back on the right side of the law.

"When you drive a road all the time, you pretty much naturally go the speed you should go," Lile said. "When I'm on the 35 mph section of Four Mile and I look down, I'm going 45 mph and there's people behind me pushing me."

A speed study conducted by the road commission shows 85 percent of drivers travel 45 mph in the 35 mph zone, and 52 mph in the 45 mph zone on Four Mile Road. State police and road commissioners recommend increasing the speed limit 10 mph in each zone.

They also recommended a 10-mph increase for speed zones on Three Mile Road from U.S. 31 to just north of Hammond Road.

"We try to set the speed limit at what 85 percent of the people are driving, which is considered the speed a reasonable person would drive in good weather conditions," said county road commission Manager Mary Gillis.

The road commission also may recommend a lower speed limit for roads with a large number of intersections and driveways or other engineering considerations, Gillis said.

Speed limits below 55 mph set by traffic control orders must be reviewed every 10 years to see if anything has changed, such as the widening of Three Mile Road, said state police Sgt. Jerry Hilborn.

The state police and road commission will ask the East Bay Township board to consent to the speed changes at the board's next meeting on Dec. 8.

East Bay was the first township contacted. Other roads reviewed include:

-- Two miles of Holiday Road in Acme Township beginning at U.S. 31, where the speed is recommended to remain at 35 mph.

-- Peninsula Drive in Peninsula Township from M-37 to Ne-ah-ta-wanta Road. About 85 percent of drivers go 10 miles over the posted speed limits, but no change is recommended.

-- Sections of Barlow, Garfield and Franke roads in Garfield Township. Franke and Barlow roads may see speeds reduced 10 mph, while Garfield Road's study is incomplete.

Hilborn said it will take several months to work through all the proposed changes.

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