Council considers $12,000 traffic study to pursue speed reduction on Route 306

Council members discussed a proposed traffic speed study to ask the state highway agency to reduce speed limits on Route 306 through the village. Staff said the study would cost roughly $12,000 and is the first step for ODOT (or the equivalent state agency) to consider lowering speeds—for example, from 45 mph to 35 mph inside the village limits.

Why it matters: a lower posted speed could affect pedestrian safety, the siting of potential crosswalks and enforcement needs. Staff cautioned that speed surveys sometimes recommend no change or even an increase depending on observed traffic patterns and sight distances, and council members noted enforcement and compliance are separate issues from changing the posted limit.

Details and next steps: staff placed the traffic study on hold earlier for budgeting reasons; at the meeting they presented it as an option to move forward. Council did not authorize funds at the meeting but left the study as a candidate for the budget; members asked staff to follow up with ODOT about required steps and likely outcomes before any formal request is made.