City of Salem considering speed limit change along South Lincoln Avenue

SALEM, Ohio - The City of Salem's Safety and Service Director is looking for insight on a potential speed limit change after residents raised concern at a City Council meeting.
A group of people who live on South Lincoln Avenue brought up concerns about decreasing the speed limit from 35 mph to 25 mph.
The request was based on the number of trucks using the street and witness statements of cars traveling over the speed limit. The group also said a number of new families with children moved onto the street and are concerned for their safety.
If the speed limit is changed, it wouldn't be the first time.
According to Safety and Service Director Joe Cappuzzello, the city's administration increased the speed limit from 25 mph to 35 mph several years ago.
The change was due to South Lincoln Avenue being a main corridor in Salem and 35 mph is the recommended speed for a through street in the city. At that time, two other city streets also changed to a 35 mph speed limit.
Since the increase, there has not been an increase in the number of crashes on the streets.
Cappuzzello says changing the speed limit on any street is burdensome because of the cost of new signage, the frustration of people traveling in the area and the enforcement of the change.
If you have an input on the potential change, you can email Cappuzzello's Office at servicedirector@cityofsalemohio.org or call 330-332-4241 ext. 1002.