Drivers speeding on Ruemmele Road in Grand Forks could see more flashing lights in their future.
The City Council is reviewing a request to place radar signs on the road to decrease the amount of speeding traffic on the road. A radar sign displays the driver's actual speed and some models begin flashing warning lights if a speed passes a certain limit.
The council's safety committee voted Tuesday to table the request until Sept. 10 to allow the Grand Forks Police Department to gather data on speeders through increased patrol and other methods.
Because of the Ruemmele's sharp curve, its speed limit is 20 mph. But resident Chris Letvin said cars zip by much faster, and their speeding has resulted in property damage for her and her neighbors.
"The light pole near my home has been hit twice," she said. Letvin added speeders have broadsided parked cars, hit trees and knocked over mailboxes in the area.
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"I used to stop in the street to get my mail but now I pull into my driveway," she said."I'm afraid someone is going to hit me."
Letvin and her husband, Craig Letvin, agree that placing speed display signs on both ends of the curve would get drivers to slow down.
Council member Terry Bjerke requested the matter be tabled until the police department could collect data.
Though not against the request, Bjerke cautioned that other neighborhoods would want the signs and having too many would make them less effective. City Engineer Al Grasser echoed Bjerke's concern.
"We don't want a lot of them around town," he said.
If approved, the radar signs would remain in place until a future extension of 40th Avenue South connects South 38th Street and South 34th Street -- diverting traffic from Ruemmele. That construction is expected to be completed next summer.
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The committee also gave preliminary approval to a request for a liquor license submitted by Mr. Rite LLC. The license is for a liquor store that would occupy space in the newly constructed 42nd Street Square retail mall.
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Call Jewett at (701) 780-1108; (800) 477-6572, ext. 1108; or send email to bjewett@gfherald.com .
