Speed bumps top issue at Louisa City council meeting

By Roberta Cantrell

BSN Editor

In light of Lawrence Countians passing the sale of medical cannabis in the recent November election the city of Louisa council members, who were waiting to see those results have decided to move forward.

“The voters showed support for medical cannibis in Louisa,” said Mayor Harold Slone. “The city has began the initial process of passing an ordinance which will authorize and regulate the sale should a dispensary decide to locate here.”

Speed humps for Lady Washington Street were once again one of the topics in the Louisa City Council meeting Tuesday, November 12.

The subject of putting the speed humps on the street was introduced by councilwoman Rose Lester back in June.

At that time Lester said her only interest in getting them installed was because her neighbors wanted them but at this point no one has come forward at the meetings since June to voice the need for the speed humps from that street.

Back in June, Mayor Harold Slone attempted to explain to Lester that for every person that wanted them put on the street there would be at least two that would be upset because they were installed.

“It would also become a problem for street sweepers, emergency vehicles and snow plows, Mayor Slone said. “You would also have people calling wanting to know why they couldn’t get one on their street if council woman Lester was able to get them on her street. You might as well plan on getting them for every street in town.”

Lester fired back by saying “that’s fine with me!”

Louisa City Mayor Eldred “Bud” Adams said according to the opinion of the Attorney General he had to have speed bumps removed in the city limits in the area of Meadowbrook so he wasn’t sure what the difference in the speed bumps or speed humps would be in a legal perspective.

Lester was asked by an audience member what would happen if they got the speed bumps on her street and people who also lived on it complained in which she replied “well tough” we have to make tough decisions and this one is for the safety of our children.

Since then, Louisa Police Chief Greg Fugitt recently asked for collision data from the Kentucky State Police, conducted a speed survey of Lady Washington Street and researched the specifics on the placement of speed humps.

The collision data showed the last reported collision on that street was 8/2022 and that most five collisions reported from that street in the past ten years were at the intersection of Lady Washington and Madison Street and three of those five involved parked vehicles.

The recommendation from KSP is to have better signage, properly marked intersections, sidewalks and crosswalks with red no parking lines in accordance with KRS 189.450.

The speed survey done by Chief Fugitt showed in a week’s time only twice someone was speeding and it was 1 mph over the limit and one person failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign.

The research shows that the negative side of speed humps were the impact emergency response times, vehicle damage, noise pollution, driver behavior, impact on bicyclists and motorists, snow removal and road maintenance, cost of installation and maintenance.

The positive side shows the enhancement of safety reduction of severity of accidents traffic volume reduction protection for vulnerable road users.

Making the speed humps not feasible for Lady Washington Street is the guidelines for placement.

The street must be 1000 feet or more, they typically have to be 200-600 feet apart and at least 200 feet from intersections sharp curves and positioned to avoid driveways, manholes and drainage systems.

The council discussed going with road lines and markings since the road that is approximately 800 feet already contains two stop signs.