Mills River adopts NCDOT-concurring ordinances lowering speed limits on multiple roads

The Mills River Town Council voted to adopt concurring ordinances (202614–202620) approving speed-limit reductions recommended by NCDOT following engineering studies.

Mr. Milich, town staff, summarized the DOT process: staff raised speed concerns in August, DOT completed engineering studies and provided recommendations in late February, which the town presented to council in late March. The adopted changes include: the eastern section of Schoolhouse Road from 45 to 40 mph; the entirety of Jeff Road from 45 to 40 mph; a short segment of Butler Bridge Road between Jeff Road and the French Broad River from 55 to 45 mph; Banner Farm Road within town limits from 45 to 35 mph; and several sections of Boilston Highway from 55 to 50 mph. The packet included three separate ordinances for different Boilston sections because one stretch is a divided couplet.

Staff said the ordinances will be certified and sent to NCDOT; signage changes are expected to follow in one to two months, after which the posted limits become enforceable. Mr. Milich noted that school-zone speed limits are handled in coordination with the local schools and DOT and that staff will inform schools of the posted-limit changes and work with them if they request additional speed reductions at school zones.

The council moved, seconded and approved the ordinances by voice vote; the transcript does not record individual roll-call tallies.

Implementation: staff will certify ordinances with the clerk and forward them to NCDOT for sign replacement and final enforcement.