Friday, April 18, 2003

Speed in Fairburn a concern

By ALISA KING
Special to The Citizen

Fairburn residents want the speeding on West Campbellton Road slowed down.

On Monday night, the City Council discussed residential complaints and concerns about the current speed limit of 45 miles per hour on West Campbellton from Ga. Highway 138 to Ga. Highway 14 and U.S. 29.

Nell Smith of 204 Fairburn Road expressed that the problem wasn't just the speeding alone, but also the loud music and mufflers from the cars that travel onto West Campbellton.

Chief of Police Frederick Brown said that he is aware of the problem and has been corresponding with the code enforcement officer concerning the speed limit on West Campbellton.

Other officers within the police department, particularly Corporal Ray Preston have had discussions with the Code Enforcement officer concerning West Campbellton from Hwy. 138 to 29-14, he mentioned.

Chief Brown said he has driven that particular route and people are traveling sometimes 55 to 60 miles per hour. He is in agreement with Corporal Preston's assessment that the current speed limit of 45 miles per hour is too fast for the number of residents that reside on that street, along with the anticipated expansion of other residential areas that would connect to West Campbellton.

Chief Brown feels that the street's speed limit should be reduced from 45 to 35 mph for safety reasons.

"Particularly as you come in from West Campbellton into the downtown area you make a sharp right turn and the intersection for the new subdivision of St. Johns is on the right. At 45 mph, this creates a dangerous situation for drivers aggressing onto West Campbellton from the side streets," he said.

The council approved the speed limit to be lowered to 35 and 25 within the downtown area.

Chief Brown assured the council that after the signs have been changed, Fairburn police will not cite people for thirty days so that the regular travelers on those streets can get accustomed to the lower speed limits.