Committee approves reducing speed limit on County Road J from 55 to 45 in residential stretch

The Dunn County Highway Committee voted July 9 to reduce the posted speed limit on a portion of County Road J from the statutory 55 mph to 45 mph, covering roughly 7,500 feet south from the city limits where staff identified crash-prone curves and sight-distance issues at driveways.

Staff presented a speed study and said several curves in the targeted section have a history of crashes and that five driveways in the two problem curves do not meet current sight-distance standards. Reducing the speed limit by 10 mph does not require DOT approval under state rules, staff said, but the committee and county counsel are preparing ordinance language to list county speed zones formally in the highway code to improve enforceability.

A committee member moved to adopt the reduction as shown on staffs map; the motion was seconded, the committee voted "aye," and the motion passed. Staff said the intent is to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers in a growing residential area and to set speed zones in county ordinance for clearer enforcement.

Staff noted the plan will be reflected in a future highway ordinance to codify county speed limits, and they said they will install signs and notify law enforcement about the change; no timeline for sign installation was specified in the briefing.