The Haines Borough Planning Commission last week voted 5-2 to recommend the assembly ask the Department of Transportation to perform a speed study on portions of Mud Bay and Small Tracts roads, despite resistance from some residents.
The issue arose at last month’s planning commission meeting when citizens submitted a petition asking the speed limit be reduced from 30 to 20 mph on Mud Bay Road near Cemetery Hill. The commission has no authority to change the speed limit, as the road belongs to the state.
When others found out about the petition, they wrote the commission opposing the speed limit change.
“Mud Bay Road and Small Tracts Road have always been major thoroughfares to the end of the peninsula,” wrote Sharon Resnick. “I believe it is unnecessary to lower the speed limit on Cemetery Hill. A 20 mph speed limit would lengthen the time it takes for many of us to drive home.”
James Alborough not only opposed lowering the Mud Bay Road speed limit, but asked for it to be raised to 35 mph to match Small Tracts Road.
John Spencer showed up at Monday’s Public Safety Commission meeting asking why the borough groups are even involved in the question at all. “I don’t even understand why the borough assembly or the planning commission or the public safety commission is wasting all our valuable time on this,” Spencer said.
The commission voted Monday to not weigh in on the matter.
DOT traffic engineer David Epstein attended last week’s commission meeting and explained how the state sets speed limits, which involves a formula called “the 85th percentile.” Essentially, using counters to track traffic rates and directions, the agency determines how drivers respond to the design of the road: people drive faster on straightaways, slower around multiple curves, and so on.
Because of how Mud Bay Road is designed with excellent lines of sight, people tend to drive faster, Epstein said. Epstein drove the road himself and said 30 mph felt slow.
Epstein warned the speed study could very well come out indicating the speed limit should be raised on that road.
DOT spokesperson Jeremy Woodrow said this week the study would cost “a fairly nominal amount.” Speed studies need to be conducted in ideal conditions – dry pavement, bright and high sunlight – so the study likely wouldn’t be conducted until late spring or early summer, Woodrow said.
The assembly will consider the recommendation Tuesday.