Friday, December 11, 2009

East Fork speed limit shifts into 2nd gear

County leaders agree to 35 mph maximum on new section of road

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By JON DUVAL
Express Staff Writer

The Blaine County Commission approved an increase to the speed limit along a one-mile stretch of East Fork Road at a special meeting on Tuesday. The speed limit has been increased to 35 miles per hour, about six months after the commission had voted to lower it to 25 mph. Photo by David N. Seelig

Less than half a year after the speed limit was reduced to 25 miles per hour for a stretch of East Fork Road, drivers will once again be able to travel 35 mph without fear of receiving a ticket.

At a special meeting Tuesday night, the Blaine County Commission approved a speed limit change for the second time in less than a year for a mile-long section of the road running from the bridge over the Big Wood River to the intersection with Ranch Road, between Hailey and Ketchum.

This part of the road was improved and widened over the summer, and residents with driveways abutting the heavily used East Fork Road voiced concern in May that the project would encourage drivers to step even harder on the gas pedal.

The commission members reversed course this week in part because traffic statistics showed that the average speed was well over the current limit.

According to data recorded by the county, 68 percent of the cars along that portion of the road were travelling over 30 mph and that 74 percent were going over 25 mph.

"From a road engineering standpoint, 85 percent of people will drive a safe speed," Commissioner Tom Bowman said in an interview. "And that part of the road was engineered for 40 mph, with its curves and restrictions."

About 60 members of the public attended the meeting, with the majority of those who spoke arguing in favor of returning to the higher speed limit.

"There were some good arguments that it's difficult to drive 25 mph there, especially heading downhill toward [state Highway 75]," Bowman said. "We're just going to trust that people will be good neighbors and stick to the new speed limit."

Given that the road is seeing increasing use for accessing recreational areas in the Pioneer Mountains, Bowman said it was not surprising that people were passionate about the issue.

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At the meeting, Blaine County Sheriff's Capt. Ed Fuller reported that in the last six months, the police issued 10 citations for speeding on that stretch of East Fork Road.

Jon Duval: jduval@mtexpress.com