County to reduce Old Stage speed
From our weekly issue dated July 21, 2010
Throughout the years, Dave Toler, a Josephine County commissioner and Illinois Valley resident, has heard countless complaints regarding speeding motorists on Old Stage Road in the city of Cave Junction.
But the most immediate obstacle to changing that was the fact that the stretch of roadway always has been under the jurisdiction of the state of Oregon.
But on Wednesday, July 21, Toler and his fellow commissioners were set to finally fix the issue with an official order.
Last summer, there were a few instances of bicycle vs. vehicle collisions near Old Stage and River Street. That prompted some citizens to request that the board of commissioners intervene.
“Having been out there for 21 years myself, I know that Old Stage has been a problem for a long time,“ Toler said. “I certainly am aware that there is a problem. I know it“s been complained about for years.“
Newer housing developments and the increased urbanization of the area have further exacerbated the issue, Toler said. However, the commissioners had the ability to begin the process of petitioning the state to lower the speed limit, which previously was unsigned.
“We do have the ability to petition for it, and that“s what we did,“ he said.
The county public works department conducted a traffic count, which was submitted to Oregon Dept. of Transportation (ODOT).
“We have to be able to show the state that there“s a certain amount of traffic and speed out there,“ Toler said.
ODOT gave the green light, so to speak, for the limit along the section of Old Stage from Laurel Road to E. River Street to be lowered to 35 mph. Toler said that signs posting the limit soon will be purchased by the county.
“This is one of the great examples of people having concerns that they take to their local government,“ he said. “It will make for a safer community out there.“
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