By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Barton County is not leaving the speed limit at the Barton Hills subdivision north of Great Bend up for debate. During Tuesday's county commission meeting, Engineer Barry McManaman proposed placing speed limit signs in the subdivision based on requests from Sheriff Brian Bellendir and Sheriff's Office Lt. David Paden.
"I went up and took a look at it and, sure enough, there were no speed limit signs posted, which kind of surprised me," McManaman said. "Statutorily in the state of Kansas, if you have a rural roadway that is not otherwise posted, it's a 55-mile-an-hour speed limit. Technically, you could have interpreted that to mean it's 55 in Barton Hills."
McManaman said the statute further establishes speed limits, unless otherwise marked, at 30 miles per hour in residential areas. New signage will be placed in the subdivision just east of US-281 Highway and north of NE 60 Road.
"I felt like it was a reasonable request and it just brings that area into line with state statutes to establish a 30-mile-per-hour speed limit," said McManaman. "My proposal would be that, if it passes, we put up speed limit signs in the four locations where you can enter the subdivision."
Commissioner Duane Reif questioned if even 30 miles an hour is too fast for some areas in the subdivision but as 30 miles an hour was the recommended limit, the commission voted 5-0 to approve the signage.