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County installs flashing speed signs; sheriff and local patrols to monitor roads
Summary
San Miguel County said it purchased two flashing speed-limit signs and installed them this week after supply delays, and will rely on the new sheriff's office rather than state patrol to monitor speeds in the canyon; the county and CDOT also discussed longer-term staffing and housing needs for highway and state-patrol employees.
County staff told Placerville listeners that the county paid for two mounted flashing speed signs to slow traffic through the Down Valley corridor and that the signs were installed the week of the meeting after earlier supply delays from CDOT.
The county said it paid just over $26,000 for both signs and that CDOT had promised earlier installation dates but experienced supply delays. Staff described the units as radar-activated flashing speed-limit signs that indicate drivers’ speeds relative to the posted limit.
Why it matters: residents and commissioners said speeding and large-vehicle traffic on State Highway 145 and county roads is creating safety and noise concerns. The new sheriff, Dan Koval (sworn in June 2), was described by staff as receptive to targeted speed enforcement and as the primary local enforcement resource; county staff said state patrol coverage is thin because troopers operate over a wide region from Montrose and local state staffing is limited by housing availability.
Staff said they will ask the sheriff’s office to monitor the signs and speed patterns and will consider either installing data-logging radar or GPS/radar trailers that record triggers if anecdotal reports indicate the signs are effective but the county needs quantified data. Residents reported localized speeding in the Norwood and San Miguel Canyon corridors and asked the county to ask CDOT to re-evaluate posted speed transitions that may be confusing (for example, an acceleration-lane speed change near a bridge described by residents).
County staff also reported they are working with CDOT on possible housing for state and CDOT staff (three housing projects were named in the discussion) to improve recruitment and retention and thereby increase local patrol and maintenance presence.
Ending: County staff asked residents to report specific problem locations and times so the sheriff’s office can prioritize enforcement; the county said it will follow up on possible data-logging additions to the signs if anecdotal reports justify further monitoring.
