Hoping to slow down traffic

Jay County Commissioners are hoping to slow down drivers - especially those in semis - on a county road south of Portland.

"About every week since POET opened, I get complaints about semis running down (county road) 200 South," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr. "We've got to slow them down."

Miller suggested lowering the speed limit on 200 South from 55 mph down to 45 mph to slow down semis headed to the ethanol plant and stone quarry, as well as general traffic.

Miller at first suggested lowering the speed limit for about a mile stretch, but commissioner Jim Zimmerman urged to expand it along a wider margin from U.S. 27 to Ind. 67.

"This way we're consistent from highway to highway," he said. Semi traffic has been an issue on 200 South and despite a "no through trucks" ordinance in place, semis continue to cross the county road between the highways - most to or from POET-Biorefining or Meshberger Bros. Stone Corp.

The commissioners, while acknowledging that their efforts to keep the semis off the road haven't been effective, hoped to increase safety by keeping the wide, heavy trucks from flying past other local traffic.

"Can't keep them off it," said Miller, "So might as well try to slow them down."

"I don't think it's a bad idea," agreed Zimmerman.

Miller said he would contact county engineer Dan Watson to perform a traffic study to count the numbers of vehicles using the road. Attorney Bill Hinkle said he could draft an ordinance to lower the speed limit for the commissioners in coming weeks.

In other business this morning, the commissioners:

•Approved drainage plans for Helena Chemical, Pennville, which is planning to expand by constructing another building on its property. County surveyor Brad Daniels said the company's current drainage infrastructure is sufficient to handle to the additional building.

•Received a report on the National Association of Counties prescription drug discount card program. During December, 608 people utilized the program, saving a total of $17,809.55, an average savings of $10.99 per prescription.

During 2009, card carriers saved more than $234,000 on prescription drugs through the program.

•Approved a county-backed, 10-year, 10 percent loan for a septic system installation for Thomas Emerick, 2409 South 50 East, Portland. The septic system installation will be done by Corwin Trenching, Pennville, at a cost of $7,679.18.

•Signed paperwork for a $4,000 grant for the sheriff's department, which will be used to purchase new computer equipment for the Emergency Response Team's mobile base and a new VHF radio system for the department.[[In-content Ad]]