SHELBY – Drivers in Shelby should take note of a new speed limit along state Route 39 taking effect in the next few weeks.
Shelby City Council officially passed legislation on Monday evening establishing a new speed limit on a portion of state Route 39, otherwise known as Mansfield Avenue, and State Street in the city of Shelby.
According to the ordinance, the change will affect Mansfield Avenue from the intersection of Seneca Drive to the corporation limit at Taylortown Road, where the speed limit will be raised from 35 to 45 miles per hour. In addition, the speed limit on State Street from the westernmost corporation limit to the easternmost corporation limit will be 35 miles per hour.
The speed limit on Mansfield Avenue from the intersection of Mickey Road to the intersection of Seneca Drive will be 35 miles per hour. The change comes at the recommendation of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) after conducting a geometric and traffic characteristic study on these portions of Shelby’s transportation routes.
According to a letter from ODOT Transportation Engineer Scott Ockunzzi to Shelby’s Project Manager Joe Gies, the Ohio State Highway Patrol also concurred with the 45 miles per hour speed limit change on the portion of state Route 39 that lies outside Shelby’s corporation limits.
“Please send a resolution stating that the city accepts the proposed speed zones…then install all appropriate speed limit signs within Shelby corporation limits and inform us when the work is complete,” Ockunzzi stated. “We will install all signs outside corporation limits.”
The legislation will go into effect 30 days after it is signed by Mayor Steve Schag. According to Gies, the city will have the appropriate signage prepared and ready to install the day the legislation officially goes into effect.
In other news, city council also approved a resolution expressing support for the development of ODOT State Bike Route 65. The route was designed by ODOT and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials to connect the state bicycle routes.
The city of Shelby and the Adventure Cycling Association, with the cooperation of ODOT and other stakeholders, has proposed a specific route to be designed as State Bike Route 65. The route will be Ohio’s first U.S. and State Bike Route network.
According to Adam Mellen, District 3 Bike Coordinator with ODOT, the route network will have five U.S. bike routes and 18 state bike routes, and will be similar to the interstate and state route system of highways.
“The routes are intended for use by long-distance, experienced commuters, generally will connect communities or points of interest, or a combination of trails and on-road facilities, and will use facilities that are available today,” Mellen said.
“The routes are not a recreational route, are not a construction project, and are not a wish list for future roadway or trail improvements.”
The resolution was approved without any discussion from council. ODOT’s intent is to complete the designation of these routes during the winter of 2016/2017.
