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<br /> <br />MAYFIELD VILLAGE POLICE <br />DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE <br />TO: Mayor Rinker <br />. Members of Council <br />Mr. Diemert <br />FROM: Chief Stevens <br />SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATIONS RE: OHIO SUBSTITUTE H.B. 565 <br />DATE: 04-15-96 <br />[RESOLUTION FROM COUNCIL NEEDED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE] <br /> <br /> <br />This legislation, which became effective February 19th, gives local officials (Mayfield <br />Village) and the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) 120 days to conduct "appropriate <br />geometric and traffic characteristic studies" to support our recommendations of what the speed <br />limit should be on Interstate 271 within Mayfield Village. Of course, we first received word of <br />this on April8th, and we must respond back to ODOT by May 22nd with: <br />1) the results of our studies; our recommendations; and <br />2) a resolution submitted by the Village requesting the <br />director of ODOT to "make a determination regarding <br />the reasonable and safe speed limit" (on I-271). - <br />I have directed Lt. Jay to start the survey immediately, but this is no small undertaking given <br />our present manpower shortage, Lt. Jay's relative short remaining tenure, and the short amount <br />of time in which we have to conduct this survey. , <br />Irregardless of our survey and recommendations, ODOT appears to favor a speed limit of 60mph <br />for the entire length of I-271 (north of the Summit County line). This would restore the same <br />speed limit that existed prior to the so-called "energy crisis days of 1974". Contrary to the <br />recollection of some people, the speed lunit on I-271 in Mayfield Village has never been more <br />than 60 miles per hour. <br />First and foremost, you must identify the actual enemy involved here. The enemy is the state <br />legislature and their legislation (not ODOT): The impact of this legislation is critical. <br />Pursuant to this law, the speed limit on I-271 will change automatically to 65 miles Rer hour at <br />the end of the 120 day 12eriod unless a study justifying a different speed has been conducted (by <br />the Village). <br />Lt. Jay and i favor keeping the 55mph limit (currently in effect) for the following reasons: <br />Volume of Traffic - we feel the sheer volume of traffic warrants keeping the lower (55 mph) <br />speed limit, and of course, this situation will never improve. <br />Accident Analysis - Lt. Jay will include in the survey any comments regarding our experiences <br />with traffic crashes on this highway.