The Hutchinson City Council didn’t take any action at all on a proposal to lower the speed limit on 30th, between Lorraine and K-61.
A local citizen wanted the council to look into lowering the speed limit because of the New Dillon’s Marketplace Store opening and two school zones being in that area. City staff was asked to conduct another traffic study of the area where the speed limit is currently 45 mph and the resident suggested it should be lowered to 35.
The city did a second study of three sections of the road, between Lorraine and Waldron, between Waldron and Halstead, and between Halstead and K-61. The second study was done during off-peak hours on September 10 and 11. They say the latest study shows the same thing as the last one, that the speed should stay 45 mph. Most drivers were going at or near the speed limit, with most slightly under. Staff recommended that the area be monitored for another six months to see if the traffic pattern should change or if there is a large increase of speed related accidents.
In the two school zones, that being Union Valley and Central Christian, drivers are required to slow to 20 mph twice a day, in the mornings and late afternoons on school days. There is also a turn lane for traffic going into the new Dillon’s Marketplace. The city upgraded the intersection of 30th & Waldron and then Waldron Street itself to accommodate traffic to the new store as well as to Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
Again, no action taken to lower the speed limit in that area, at least not for now.