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Residents press county commissioners to keep Ski Hill Road speed at 35 mph amid safety concerns
Summary
Dozens of residents told commissioners that the county's recent decision to reduce Ski Hill Road's speed limit to 35 mph has improved safety for cyclists, pedestrians and wildlife; some speakers urged commissioners not to raise daytime limits to 45 mph.
Dozens of residents told the Teton County Board of County Commissioners on Monday that they support maintaining the Ski Hill Road daytime and nighttime speed limits that were reduced in 2024.
Several speakers described near-misses, wildlife collisions and risks for cyclists and schoolchildren on the three-mile corridor linking Driggs to Alta. “The reduced speed limit has made the road safer for cyclists, pedestrians, wildlife, and motorists,” said John Beller, a local cyclist who presented engineering and sight-distance concerns. He said a change back would save drivers “one minute and three seconds” but increase risk for vulnerable road users.
Experts and local advocates cited national research and local engineering findings presented earlier to the commissioners. Dan Verbaten of Teton Valley Trails and Pathways summarized National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data about injury risk for non-motorized users at different speeds and highlighted a past vehicle fatality on Ski Hill Road.
Commissioner James signaled interest in revisiting the earlier speed decision; residents urged caution. “I’ll take an extra minute all day every day if it saves one animal’s life,” said Nikki Richards of Valley Advocates for Responsible Development.
Public works director Daryl Johnson told the board the county’s earlier reduction used an engineering-based approach, including an 85th percentile speed study and an assessment of access points and roadside conditions. Johnson told the board that if the commissioners wanted a fresh engineering study to reassess daytime limits, it could be ordered; he said the county’s engineer had already recommended 35 mph for an urban-like stretch of roadway.
The board did not vote on the speed limit at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff for more information and invited further technical briefings showing current traffic speeds, crash and wildlife-collision data, and lines-of-sight calculations.
Ending: Commissioners said they will place further study of the speed limit on a future agenda once staff compiles additional engineering data requested during the meeting.
