Speed limits being raised on two roadways in Hurricane

HURRICANE – Speed limits are being raised on two busy Hurricane City roadways on the north and south side of town in an effort to help traffic move more smoothly.

The changes involve 600 North and a significant portion of Sand Hollow Road that takes drivers around Sand Hollow Reservoir.

The speed limit on 600 North from 950 West to around 3300 West has been raised to 45 mph. Signs alerting drivers to this change have been installed.

Motorists turning off of state Route 9 onto Sand Hollow Road will notice the speed limit has been raised to 45 mph from SR-9 to Dixie Springs Drive, and to 55 mph beginning just south of Dixie Springs Drive and continuing on to just south of 3000 South on the back side of the reservoir. At this point the speed limit is reduced to 45 mph and continues at this speed along the newly improved 3000 South to 1100 West. New speed limit signs are also posted along Sand Hollow Road and 3000 South.

The changes were made following a Utah Department of Transportation speed study along the two roadways in question, said Hurricane City Engineer Arthur LeBaron

“We based these changes on results of the speed study and in consultation with UDOT,” LeBaron said. “We also received input from citizens, law enforcement, the courts and residents.”

The speed survey involves using traffic counters for more than one week along a specific route and then determining the 85th percentile of traffic speed in that location.

“We also took into consideration other factors such as hazards, sight limitations, nearby schools, curbs, and so on to arrive at these speed limits,” LeBaron said.

While the speed limits have increased along sections of 600 North and Sand Hollow Road, there are also advisory speeds posted prior to curves in the roadways.

“We recommend everyone obey these advisory speeds along the curves,” said Lynn Excell, Hurricane City Police Chief. Enforcement of the new speed limits begins immediately.

Submitted by Nancy Perkins for Hurricane City Police Department.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!

6 Comments

  • Lindsey Wilson July 26, 2012 at 4:50 pm

    YAY!!!! No more slow poke 35!!!!! Thank you!!!!

  • tyler July 27, 2012 at 4:48 am

    I can’t seem to wonder why St George doesn’t explore these options of raising speed limits on the newly widened and improved Red Hills Pky, Dixie Dr. and Riverside Dr. for increased and more rapid commuting around the valley.

  • Relax and breathe July 27, 2012 at 11:48 am

    tyler: “You can’t seem to wonder why” Hmmmm, try some deep breathing exercises, focus on a topic and then you can begin to wonder why.

  • tyler July 27, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    Lol, yea i caught myself wording that wrong, Relax and Breathe, thanks for the tip. I can’t help but wonder why STG doesn’t consider raising speed limits on several upgraded express-type routes where there are very few traffic lights and lighter traffic volumes. 😉

  • Barb July 27, 2012 at 5:34 pm

    Has anybody else noticed how ridiculous it is that busy south Bluff is 45 MPH, but Red Hills/SnowCanyon Expressway, with no congestion and few lights is only 40 MPH?? Good ol’ boy network alive and well.

  • I heard...... July 27, 2012 at 6:00 pm

    Hey Barb—I heard that after traffic gets used to the road that they will bump it to 60 mph. And the good ol’ boys had nothing to do with this decision.

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.