Council sets new speed limit for Timber Dr.

Attention motorists, the speed limit on Timber Drive from Highway 17 to Iverson Street has been reduced from 35 to 25 miles per hour. Four months after requesting a speed study of the roadway in question, the Rhinelander Common Council vote 7-1 Monday to follow the recommendation of Traffic Analysis & Design Inc. (TADI) and adjust the speed limit downward.

Chief of Police Lloyd Gauthier, who suggested the study after residents brought speed concerns to his attention, also recommended the reduction.

“What (the authors of the study) noticed is that area has greatly changed over the years since the speed limit was set at 35,” Gauthier explained.

“Timber Drive recently underwent a reconstruction and a sidewalk and multiuse path is now present along the full length analyzed from STH 17 to Iverson Street, and beyond,” TADI’s report to the council reads. 

“Previously, there was a segment that only had a bike lane without sidewalk/multiuse path,” the report continued. “These changes have urbanized the analysis segment of Timber Drive where drivers might expect a lower speed limit. In addition, extending the sidewalk/multiuse path to the full length of Timber Drive suggests that it is actively used throughout the year by bicyclists and pedestrians. During the setup of the speed data collection equipment, TADI observed multiple pedestrians using the path... In addition, Google Maps Street View shows multiple bicyclists riding along Timber Drive. This high pedestrian and bicycle activity carries significant importance when setting a speed limit for Timber Drive. Due to the proximity of Timber Drive to Rhinelander High School and James Williams Middle School, it is likely that students will be walking or riding along Timber Drive. Thus, setting a safe speed limit for the younger users is also taken into consideration.”

Per state statute, a speed study must be conducted before a change can be made to a posted speed limit.

According to the TADI study, the average daily traffic (ADT) volumes along Timber Drive were approximately 3,900 vehicles per day just west of Highway 17 and 3,600 vehicles per day just east of Iverson Street. 

While TADI initially suggested a speed limit of 30 mph, Gauthier recommended 25,  which is the set speed limit for city streets.

“I would not want to do a 30, that just makes enforcing more confusing,” the chief explained. “It’s a city street it should be 25 miles per hour.”

After hearing from Gauthier, alderman Steven Jopek made a motion to change the speed limit for that section of Timber Drive to 25. 

Alderman Gerald Anderson indicated he didn’t understand why 25 was chosen rather than 30.

“I think 30 would certainly be adequate for that kind of road and that kind of situation,” he said, before suggesting the resolution be amended setting the speed limit at 30.

After Anderson’s motion died for lack of a second, alderman David Holt seconded Gauthier’s suggestion that the speed limit on Timber should be consistent with other city roadways. 

Jopek agreed.

“I think the goal is to get that down to 30 or below,” he said. “I think 25 is suitable. People will end up going 30 and   we’ll hit the average we’re hoping to reach.”

“One of the drawbacks of fixing potholes and roads is that people tend to drive faster,” Mayor Kris Hanus interjected.

Gauthier agreed, noting that a complaint was received over the weekend where someone compared Thayer Street to a NASCAR raceway.

“The roads are getting nicer and I couldn’t put it in any better than the mayor did. People are going to drive a lot faster. I just saw a complaint over the weekend of why is Thayer Street now a raceway, it doesn’t meet the Daytona 500 specs ...”

“People are going to be out moving around and we want them to be safe,” he concluded.

Anderson cast the lone dissenting vote on the speed limit change. 

In other business, the council unanimously approved the rezoning requests made by a group seeking to redevelop the former St. Mary’s Hospital site for additional housing. A Certified Survey Map related to the redevelopment project was also approved.

During a May 7 public hearing on the rezoning requests, held by the city plan commission, a representative for the developers stated that the intent is to convert the remaining former hospital facility into an apartment building for those age 55 and older as well as build additional units to provide affordable housing for the local workforce.

To watch the full council meeting, visit www.hodagtv.com.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].