Council lowers posted speed limit on Price's Fork Road to 25 mph

Blacksburg Town Council voted to lower the posted speed limit on Price's Fork Road between Old Glade Road and Main Street from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour (Ordinance 20 87). The change was recommended by staff following a town speed study and a review of pedestrian and crash data.

Carolyn Howard (staff) told council the town’s speed study showed general compliance with the existing 35 mph limit but that pedestrian crossings in the corridor have risen, including a roughly 75% increase in crossings since February 2019 at spots such as Toms Creek Road. Staff reported eight pedestrian crashes with injuries, seven bicycle crashes and 113 total vehicular crashes within the corridor and noted an increase in vehicle volumes. Staff recommended the reduced limit in part because multiple redevelopment projects in the corridor are expected to increase pedestrian and cyclist movements.

Council members — several of whom noted they are frequent walkers and cyclists — supported the change as a safety measure for vulnerable road users and asked staff to consider a future speed study to measure driver behavior after implementation. Staff said another speed study would be required to measure change and they can schedule a follow‑up study in a few years to assess impacts.

Council approved the ordinance on a recorded roll call; staff will implement signage changes and may study driver behavior after the limit changes.