SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Springs will study reducing the speed limit on certain city streets to 25 mph, following a recommendation by the city’s Complete Street Advisory Board.
“Reducing speed limits is a statement on our values as a community,” said Keny Grey and Ted Orosz, the board’s chairperson and co-chairperson, in an email to the City Council on Sept. 29. “While we recognize that speeding and other poor driving behaviors, including distracted driving and speeding, will not be completely solved through this initiative, we believe this is an important measure for enhancing the walkability, bike-ability and safety of Saratoga Springs.”
The advisory board is suggesting the speed limit be lowered between West Avenue and Henning Road in both the east and west directions, as well as lowering the limit going north and south on Crescent Avenue and Route 50 and west of Route 50, including Skidmore College. The two men said Thursday that the goal is to lower the speed limit in the core of the city where many people walk and bike. Orosz said the vast majority of streets in the area have a speed limit of 30 mph.
“This initiative can be refined based on neighborhood analysis,” Grey and Orosz said in the email. “Reduced speed limits will also assist changing behaviors, including the slowing of truck traffic on Broadway and doing our part to become a climate smart community.”
The proposal comes after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law in August 2022 allowing cities, villages and towns to reduce speed limits to 25 mph. However, Grey said this recommendation in the city has been talked about for several years.
Orosz said that New York City’s speed limit is 25 mph unless otherwise posted. The board’s recommendation also noted that the town of East Greenbush is implementing such speed reductions and Malta is considering it.
Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim said the city is not voting on changing the speed limit until a study is done and public hearings are held.
“The hope would be that in a few months we can make a decision about this for our city through public hearings and a sort of back and forth dialogue,” Kim said at a City Council meeting last Tuesday night.
Categories: -News-, Govt./Politics, News, Saratoga County, Saratoga Springs
