Sierraville residents, law enforcement urge Caltrans not to raise speed limits on SR 49/89

Sierraville residents, local law enforcement and county officials told Caltrans at a public hearing that proposed speed-zone increases on State Routes 49 and 89 would harm safety in the town’s main thoroughfare.

During the hearing Dec. 5 before the Sierra County Board of Supervisors, Sheriff Mike Fisher described narrow lanes, hidden driveways, school bus stops and frequent pedestrian activity and said raising posted speeds would increase braking distances and collision risk. "The current speed limit in Sierraville is appropriate," Fisher said, arguing the 35 mph posting helps protect residents, children and wildlife.

Caltrans Traffic Safety Branch Chief Marsha Borkova acknowledged the community’s concerns but described legal constraints tied to formal traffic engineering surveys. She told the audience Caltrans is reviewing comments and is exploring limited options such as moving warning signs or creating transition zones that inform drivers but may not be enforceable by radar. "We do realize the frustration with this. We do feel like it is a broken system that we're dealing with because we're trying to do what's safe for the public, follow the law," Borkova said.

Residents who spoke at the hearing urged keeping or lowering limits through Sierraville. Pinky Thompson, who said she gathered signatures from neighbors, asked the board to reject any increase and suggested a 25 mph limit for the South Lincoln Street neighborhood. "Residents do not want an increased speed limit," Thompson said.

Several speakers noted that the county’s most recent speed surveys have expired and that state procedures require surveys be renewed every seven years; when a survey expires, posted speed zones can be unenforceable for officers using radar, county staff warned. Lieutenant Pedersen of the California Highway Patrol said his office recently ran an enforcement detail and issued about 40 citations in an area south of Sierraville to address speeding.

Speakers cited state policy efforts and limits on local control. County staff summarized findings of a 2018 legislative task force (discussed at the hearing) that prompted bills allowing some local adjustments. Legislators’ representatives in the room said the problem will likely require legislative remedy. Yolanda Cookson, representing Sen. Megan Dally, said state lawmakers are aware of the issue and encouraged continued local advocacy.

Board members said all written comments (the county had received 37 as of the meeting) and the petition presented at the hearing will be forwarded to Caltrans for its final decision. County transportation staff and supervisors encouraged residents to compile local proposals—such as connected sidewalks, crosswalks and grant applications for traffic-calming measures—that could be submitted to Caltrans or to local grant programs.

The hearing closed after public comment and the board said it will forward the record to Caltrans for consideration of potential legal and engineering remedies. Caltrans told the audience it will review the public record before making a final determination.