Harris Township adopts ordinance cutting Bolesburg Pike speed limit to 25 mph

The Harris Township Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on May 13 to adopt proposed ordinance 3-64 amending Chapter 8 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), reducing the posted speed limit on Bolesburg Pike from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour.

Township staff opened the evening’s public hearing on the ordinance, saying they had received resident complaints about speeding and that the State College Borough Police placed speed sentries to collect speed data. "Traffic engineer Rob Watts conducted a speed study and recommends a posted speed reduction to 25 miles per hour in Bolesburg Pike based on PA statute Title 75 setting speeds for residential districts," staff said during the hearing. The ordinance also formalizes Tennis Alley as a one-way street and codifies an existing no‑parking zone on Old Bolesburg Road tied to a land-development plan.

Board members heard that the recommendation came from a formal study and from resident concerns raised at previous meetings. After questions were invited and no additional public comments were offered during the hearing, Speaker 2 moved to approve the ordinance; the motion was seconded and the board approved the ordinance by voice vote. The board did not record individual roll-call votes in the minutes; the chair stated the vote was unanimous.

The ordinance takes effect under the township’s normal procedural timelines once the required posting and codification are completed. Staff noted the speed study and statutory guidance (Title 75) in support of the change and will follow up on sign placement and coordination with PennDOT where state road signage is required.

The board’s packet and meeting materials list the ordinance as proposed ordinance 3-64 and show the study and the staff recommendation. Residents with follow-up questions were directed to township staff for timing of sign installation and for a copy of the study.