Commission looks to set 30 mph limit ahead of detour headaches

Another change is coming to College Street, and could be going into effect as soon as this month.

The Cedartown City Commission heard from Police Chief Jamie Newsome during their Monday night, April 1 work session, who told the board that now that stop signs have been installed it is time to limit the speed throughout the range of College Street. That’s the whole stretch from Mundy’s Lake on the northside to Canal Street on southside going down to 30 mph if approved on Monday during their regular session.

Following the installation of stop signs last month at the intersections with Jule Peek Drive and Girard Avenues, and the change from a traffic light to a four-way stop at Wissahickon and East Avenues, speeds are already decreasing dramatically on College Street according to Newsome.

“From everything I’m hearing, (the four way stops) has gotten positive feedback from the citizenry,” Newsome said. “You know, there’s always a naysayer, but the overwhelming majority of the comments I’ve received have been positive.”

The stop signs went up ahead of a forthcoming shutdown on North Main Street between Jule Peek and Girard Avenues ahead of a bridge replacement being completed by the Georgia Department of Transportation.

College Street is set to be used as a detour around the bridge construction, and as the four way stops went in to help with pedestrian and traffic safety before the work begins and to allow for motorists to get used to the change.

The upcoming change to set the speed limit at 30 mph will additionally help with traffic control and safety of pedestrians in the neighborhood

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“Now is a good time to consider the speed limit on College,” he said.

He went onto explain thoroughly why the speed limit should change throughout the run from South College at Canal through to Mundy’s Lake northbound and onward to College Circle as part of the overall changes ahead of the need for detours and for the safety of residents and park-goers in the area.

He felt that with the new stops, Peek Park utilized by pedestrians and a narrowing of College Street past were the sidewalks end at Jule Peek Avenue, the need to adjust the speed limit to 30 mph.

“I’ve talk to a couple of the residents over there that seem to be in favor of that also,” Newsome added.

He also wants to change College Circle – from the lake to West John Hand Drive – down to 30 mph as well to ensure the full change keeps drivers in the area at the same speed and discourages speeding through from one intersection to the next.

Newsome added that the implementation of the two stop signs have slowed traffic down from his observations between Girard and Jule Peek Avenues, and the change overall makes sense.

Commissioners during the work session showed their favor for the proposal after Newsome explained his reasoning. Commission Chair Jessica Payton told her fellow board members that she believes that West John Hand Drive should be changed as well to slow down.

“I have this philosophy that you should drive the speed limit or slower in a neighborhood where people live,” Payton said.

Newsome said he would report back speed data for West John Hand Drive will be evaluated for potential change as well.

Commissioners have the College Street and College Circle speed limit changes on the agenda for the Monday, April 8 regular session. They’ll be voted upon as ordinances since speed limits within the city limits are part of the city’s overall code of ordinances.