Port Richey council backs radar speed signs on Washington, continues debate over speed humps on Grand Boulevard

The Port Richey City Council on Sept. 9 agreed to move forward with two radar speed-display signs on Washington Street and continued a broader debate about installing speed humps on Grand Boulevard.

Council and staff discussed several options — temporary speed cushions, permanent speed humps/tables, and a lower-cost approach using radar signs and striping. Police and staff said radar units are relatively inexpensive, collect data on vehicle speeds and can help target enforcement. The chief said the signs ‘‘give us a narrowing situation of where and when it’s happening’’ and produce data to deploy resources more effectively.

Several residents urged measures to slow traffic. Rob Kenworthy, a resident, said he favored the type of traffic-calming used by neighboring New Port Richey and opposed the sharper temporary humps that can be jarring. Pat Rogers, a resident, asked for stop signs at a neighborhood intersection and supported speed bumps where people are speeding.

Council members debated temporary devices that can be relocated versus permanent humps; some favored a trial with temporary measures that could be redeployed elsewhere if they proved effective, while others argued installing permanent humps now would be cheaper than a temporary-then-permanent approach. Fire and emergency access and impacts on business access on corridors tied to Highway 19 were raised as operational concerns.

The council gave staff and public works direction to install two radar speed signs on Washington Street and to consult police and public works on siting. For Grand Boulevard, the council reached consensus to pursue placement consistent with existing installations and to continue coordination with Pasco County and emergency services before making any permanent installation. No final binding ordinance or roll-call vote on humps was recorded at the meeting.