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Broken Bow lowers Memorial Drive speed limit to 40 mph near Melham Hospital
Summary
The City of Broken Bow adopted Ordinance 1307 to set a 40 mph speed limit on Memorial Drive east of Melham Hospital after a traffic study; council and a chamber representative discussed safety and transitional speeds.
Broken Bow — The Broken Bow City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to set the speed limit on Memorial Drive east of Jennie M. Melham Memorial Medical Center at 40 miles per hour.
Mayor Rod Sonnichsen introduced Ordinance 1307, which specifies a 40 mph limit beginning "approximately 1,868 feet east of the Memorial Drive and North 5th intersection (center of intersection)" and extending east to the city corporate limits. City Administrator David Schmidt said the city partnered with Custer County and that a traffic study by JEO recommended lowering the speed in that segment.
Councilmember Russ Smith said "40 mph was a good starting point and they can always make adjustments at a later time." During public comment, Stephanie Grafel of the Broken Bow Chamber of Commerce said she supported the decision and added it was unsafe to go "from the current speed of 55 mph down to 30 mph in such a short distance where many hospital employees cross." Grafel's comment emphasized the need for an intermediate limit to improve safety and manage speed transitions near the hospital.
The council opened the public hearing at 6:25 p.m., closed it at 6:31 p.m., suspended the three-reading requirement and adopted Ordinance 1307 with Smith, Kleeb, Wamsley and Holland voting aye and no recorded nays.
The ordinance’s text and any signage, enforcement timing or related engineering measures were not specified during the meeting. Council members said future adjustments are possible based on further review and conditions on the road.
