State Moving Slow to Decide on Middleburgh Road Speed Change

MIDDLEBURGH - While Town of Middleburgh officials and some residents are worried about speeders, the state is on its own schedule.

In April, Gridley Road resident Gus Wade begged the town board to reduce the speed limit on the road after a serious two-vehicle accident near his barn. Though Mr. Wade asked for an immediate reduction in the speed limit during a sometimes contentious debate, town board members agreed to follow the process and ask the county and the state to make a determination.

At the town meeting earlier this month, Supervisor John Youmans gave an update on the request. State officials said, the timeline for the speed study is "you will usually  be notified by DOT within three months that they have received the request, then within a year we will get a determination from them." The town was informed that about 40 percent of the requests are approved.

In April, Mr. Wade came armed with pictures and maps of the road and asked the town board several times to lower the speed limit from 40mph to 30mph. 

Mr. Wade was countered by Highway Superintendent Steve Kowalski, who noted that the speed limit was just recently lowered, and a speed limit will not help unless people willingly slow.

Mr. Wade said that there are three blind spots on the road, which runs from Route 145 to Huntersland Road. Despite Mr. Wade's pleas, Mr. Kowalski said he seriously doubted that a lower posted speed limit would make any difference.

Mr. Kowalski said that the state would have to do a speed study.

In April, Supervisor Youmans said the study may be done for all of Gridley Road.