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Speedway council approves purchase of eight solar radar signs to address speeding on Auburn Street
Summary
The Speedway Town Council voted unanimously to buy eight solar-powered radar signs, including four to deploy on Auburn Street, funded from motor vehicle highway funds. Council and staff discussed placement, strobes, and possible rotation to increase effectiveness.
The Speedway Town Council on Jan. 27 approved a $29,706 purchase of eight solar-powered radar speed signs to be used by the street department, including at least four to be placed on Auburn Street between Crawfordsville Road and 25th Street where officials said motorists cut through and exceed speed limits.
Town Manager Grant Kleinhans recommended the purchase and said the signs are the same models used elsewhere in town and that four will be kept as replacements. “So we will have four on hand and deploy four on Auburn,” Kleinhans said. He said the optional red-and-blue strobes would be modest, visible to drivers but “not visually disturbing” to neighborhoods.
The council discussed practical questions such as whether strobes could be retrofitted to existing units, whether moving signs periodically increases compliance and installation logistics. Councilor Vince Noblett said the signs increase driver awareness even if they do not eliminate speeding: “They worked out well on Lynnhurst, at least to bring attention to it. It’s not gonna eliminate it, but it will bring attention to it.”
Kleinhans said the signs are solar-powered so no electrical hookup is required; locating underground utilities and installing concrete foundations typically takes about a week to 10 days. The town will pay for the signs from motor vehicle highway funds. Council President Nick Sturgeon called the motion; the vote was 5-0 in favor.
Council members said the signs are one step among possible street engineering responses, noting alternatives such as speed tables or curb bump-outs would be street alterations they prefer to avoid if the radar signs prove effective. Staff said the town will monitor performance and consider moving units or retrofits if the strobes prove desirable.
Votes at the meeting show the council approved the sales quote from Radar Sign and authorized staff to place the order; staff member Rob (last name not specified in the record) was identified as the person who will place the order.
