Wilson County road board sets Bass Lane at 25 mph after resident petition

A resident brought a petition to the Wilson County Road Commission on June 4 asking officials to lower the speed limit on Bass Lane and improve signage. Anne Wild, who said she has lived in Wilson County nearly 45 years, told the board she and neighbors collected 25 signatures and described repeated close calls, a two‑year‑old tractor‑trailer getting stuck, a recent dog‑vehicle collision and a historic crash that destroyed 300 feet of fencing.

"We need the speed limit decreased. We need better signage," Wild said, asking for a staff site visit so she could point out hills, S‑curves and places where the posted signs do not reflect the road's hazards.

Board members discussed options ranging from chevrons in curves to advisory signage and noted enforcement limits. "All we can do is post it now; we can't enforce it," Mr. Murphy said, describing county authority to install signs but not to provide regular enforcement. Commissioners also discussed placing multiple advisory signs, placing chevrons at curves and possible targeted patrols by the sheriff's office.

The chair moved to change the speed limit on Bass Lane to 25 mph; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The board recorded the action as setting a 25 mph limit for Bass Lane, with lower advisory speeds (20 mph) recommended for the S‑curve sections. The motion was approved by a voice vote with no roll‑call tally recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: staff (Mr. Murphy and Chase) said they would meet with Wild on site to review signage placement and options. The board also discussed radar feedback signs and other non‑physical calming measures as possible supplements to signage.

The commission closed public comment and moved to the assistant superintendent's report.