Speed Limit Reduced on Railroad Avenue
By ANTHONY GAYNOR, Staff WriterArticle Photos
One Elkins city councilman's concern for public safety has resulted in lowering the speed limit along Railroad Avenue. Following his recommendation, the city recently erected signs posting the 15-mile-per-hour limit.
"I stood in front of the Welcome Center and watched some of the cars go by at a high rate of speed," Councilman Rob Beckwith, 1st Ward, said. "It scared me. People were going too fast and I felt a reduction in speed may save some lives."
Beckwith, a member of the city's Street Committee, said he recommended the reduction because the increased popularity of attractions in the railyard has brought more pedestrians to the downtown area.
Street Committee Chairman and Councilman Tom Hensil, 2nd Ward, said the committee has the power to set speed limits within the city and that no action is needed from City Council.
"I think it is a real good thing," Hensil said. "There is no need to go faster through there."
Hensil thinks there is some concern with the lower speed limit, though. He said cars traveling from Harrison Avenue and U.S. 219 are traveling at 40 mph when the light is green.
"We are going to talk with the West Virginia Division of Highways to see if they will reduce the speed," Hensil said.
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GRizzly56
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06-25-08 6:49 PM
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yes and you still need at the 219 intersection traffic signals , and at 219 and intersection of = WV D,M V do to high volume of drivers pulling out on to us 219 not yielding or stopping; this needs to be done before mountain stae forest festival
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CD0410
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06-25-08 12:08 PM
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I can understand reducing the speed limit for Railroad Avenue, but to reduce it along the intersection of Harrison Avenue is not necessary. We do not need to add the the traffic problem going through town. Drivers could simply slow down when on Railroad Avenue.
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