March 28, 2024

Council requests speed reduction on Old 34

AFTON — An increase in pedestrian traffic along Old Highway 34 on their way to Afton Lake has forced the Afton City Council and Union County Board of Supervisors to consider lowering the speed limit.

“We are hoping to have the ordinance drawn up to look at next city council meeting so we can have the speed limit lowered by June or early July,” said Afton Police Chief John Coulter.

Coulter said the increase in pedestrian traffic is mostly 11- to 15-year-olds walking or riding their bikes to Afton Lake to use the playground equipment or go fishing.

Afton City Council is considering lowering the speed limit on West Jefferson Street to the city corporate line from 45 mph to 35 mph.

The council asked that supervisors decrease the speed from the city corporate line to the east side of the Afton Lake dam from 45 mph to 35 mph. They also suggested lowering the speed along the dam to Calvary Road from 55 mph to 45 mph.

“I drive that road a lot and even I have noticed the increase in traffic since work has been done on that little fishing jetty and the playground equipment,” said Union County Board of Supervisor Chairman Dennis Brown. “It seems like a good idea to me.”

Union County Engineer Steve Akes said pedestrian traffic is one of the major reasons for reducing the speed limit on a road.

Afton City Council does not meet again until May 13, but wanted to make the supervisors aware of the discussion so if Afton decides to lower the speed limit, the county can make a decision during the same time frame.

“We are pretty much on board with it unless something comes up during the city of Afton’s research or Steve Akes’ research that would suggest against change the speed limit,” Brown said. “We are going to let Afton act first.”