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Columbia County adopts lower speed limits on North Tuschee Road after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing with multiple residents urging lower speeds because of curves, limited shoulders and icy bridges, the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution 2025-21 to reduce maximum lawful speeds on two sections of North Tuschee Road.
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners voted to adopt Resolution 2025-21 on Oct. 6, changing the maximum lawful speed limits on sections of North Tuschee Road. The resolution covers mileposts 11.14–12.81 (new 45 mph) and 12.81–13.98 (new 35 mph), with the balance of the road remaining 50 mph as listed in the resolution.
The public hearing drew several residents who urged lower speeds. Dennis, who said he lives at 1304 North *****, told the commissioners he supported lowering speeds because "the road is very curvy," shoulders are narrow and there are many driveways with limited sight lines. He asked that the new 35 mph posting be placed north of an S-curve at a bridge, arguing the bridge is often icy and drivers do not slow sufficiently. Several other residents cited increased traffic from Bluewood ski area, unreported crashes and near-misses as reasons to lower posted speeds.
County staff explained the difference between advisory (black-and-yellow) curve signs and enforceable regulatory (black-and-white) speed-limit signs, noting that a regulatory sign enables enforcement by the sheriff's office. Staff also pointed out the specific milepost locations for the proposed changes and said the 35-mph section would be north of the pond near Lewis Creek.
After public comment, a commissioner moved to adopt Resolution 2025-21, "changing the maximum lawful speed limit on North ***** Road, as listed in [the] new resolution." The motion carried on a voice vote; commissioners recorded approval by voice and did not provide a roll-call tally in the record.
Commissioners and residents discussed enforcement constraints in rural areas, including visibility of speed-limit signs from the perspective of speed-enforcement equipment and the practical difficulty of citing drivers where there is no clear reference point for where a regulatory zone begins. County staff said signage placement and the regulatory designation were intended to give deputies a clearer enforcement line should the sheriff's office elect to conduct speed enforcement.
The resolution takes effect per the county's usual posting and administrative process. The transcript shows the matter was introduced, publicly discussed at length, and formally adopted during the meeting on Oct. 6.
