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COLUMBUS — Colorado County Commissioners Court approved speed limits for county roads in Precinct 2 and discussed the Aug. 21 burn ban order during its meeting, Monday, Aug. 24.
Speed limits
The court approved the new posted speed limits in Precinct 2 in Weimar. The entire length of County Road 222 and the 2.6-mile paved portion of County Road 2103 will be limited to 40 mph. The 1.6-mile gravel portion of County Road 2103 will be limited to 35 mph.
“We’ve run into an issue in the past with the speed of residents and non-residents when they’re traveling through these roads…60, 70 miles per hour,” Pct. 2 Commissioner Ryan Brandt said. “…That’s what started the whole thing was complaints of the speed.”
Brandt added that county roads without a posted speed limit are limited to 60 mph, the same posted limit as the more developed nearby Farm to Market 2434 and Farm to Market 155.
“When you meet another vehicle, the tendency is to just get off the road, and the shoulders are deteriorating faster than we can keep up with them and keep them replaced and fixed,” Brandt said. “The 40 mile-per-hour speed limit seems to help on the roads…The shoulders are starting to last a little bit longer.”
Brandt said he heard positive feedback about the idea of speed limits from numerous residents on both roads. He also heard from a resident who wanted the county to complete a traffic study and public petition before adding the limits.
“I know that everybody that we work for has their own opinions, but we are elected representatives to make us safe,” Prause said.
Additionally, the court approved Colorado Valley Telephone to install fiber optic cable in the rightof- way of Live Oak Lane, County Road 201 and County Road 209 in Pct. 2.
Burn ban
County Judge Ty Prause signed an emergency burn ban declaration for Colorado County last Friday. The order will expire on Aug. 28 if the Commissioners Court does not convene to authorize its continuance.
The burn ban extends to outdoor cigarette smoking, campfires, and the use of all fireworks. Exceptions to the ban include barbecues and outdoor welding provided they are constantly monitored and follow precautionary county rules.
