Aberdeen Weighs Lower Speed for N.C. 5
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By Tom Embrey
Senior Writer
The Aberdeen commissioners are exploring the option of lowering the speed limit on N.C. 5 to a maximum of 45 mph, citing safety concerns.
The town instructed Planning Director Kathy Liles to contact N.C. Department of Transpor-tation (DOT) officials to discuss the possibility of the change. DOT sets the speed limit on state roads, including N.C. 5.
Currently the speed limit on the road runs from 35 to 45 to 55 and back down to 35 as you travel from Aberdeen to Pinehurst.
Representatives from United Transport Services, which is located on the road, request d the town lower the speed limit to 45 mph on a stretch of the road that runs in front of their business, Liles told the commissioners.
The reason for the request, Liles said, is safety
DOT officials have said it is "appropriate" to lower the limit.
Commissioner Allan Parker said the limit on N.C. 5, "should never go to 55 mph." Mayor Betsy Mofield called the road a "perfect example of a speed trap," and argued that the limit should be 35 mph.
Commissioners also instructed the town planning staff to move forward with an application for the 2013 Historic Preservation Fund grant.
Town planner Pam Graham told the board that the grant would help pay for hiring a consultant to update the town's historic design guidelines. Graham said the guidelines were last updated in 2003.
She said the current guidelines are vague and lack rules for newer construction materials that were not available when the guidelines were adopted.
Graham said the total cost to hire the consultant would likely be between $12,000 and $20,000.
The application deadline is Feb. 15.
Commissioners also approved a new fee schedule for calculating privilege licenses for wholesalers, manufacturers and distributors. The changes go into effect on July 1. Fees will now range from $500 for a business with fewer than 25 employees to $1,200 for one with more than 200 employess.
The change came after business owners asked commissioners in November to review the fee schedule and consider changing it.
In July 2011, Aberdeen started calculating fees based on gross receipts. The town charged $200 for businesses with annual gross receipts of $500,000 or less. The fee increases by 50 cents for every $1,000 over $500,000.
The fees now are much easier for affected businesses to calculate ahead of time.
The town has called a special meeting for 6 p.m. Monday to discuss a proposal for an entrepreneur-based business opportunity in Aberdeen. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Robert N. Page Municipal Building, 115 N. Poplar Street.
Contact Tom Embrey at (910) 693-2484 or tembrey @thepilot.com.
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Comments
skylinefirepest 3 months, 3 weeks ago
"The reason for the request is safety" says the editorial...yet there are very, very few accidents on this stretch of road. Why mess with a good thing??? I can see this happening and then turning into a source of "speed trap" money for Aberdeen.
deepcreek 3 months, 2 weeks ago
The only dangerous spot on 5 is at the Habitat for Humanity curve . The limit is 45, but there needs to be a turn lane.
Toda 3 months, 2 weeks ago
The rail crossing at Builder First Source is a pot hole nightmare; tires and suspension take a beating.
Toda 3 months, 2 weeks ago
But the circle at the airport is smooth traveling for the Lexus and Mercedes crowd.
truthmatterstome2 3 months, 2 weeks ago
What does the traffic circle at the airport have to do with traffic speed on highway 5? The best way to make Hwy 5 safer would be to straighten out the curve at Habitat and to add turning lanes. Otherwise, reducing the speed limit is reasonable. Also, take the license from half of the drivers from Pinehurst!
AFCHIEF 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Toda just making another bitter comment for some reason last time I cue he'd everyone uses both large traffic circles
doughnuts 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Lower the limit to 35 mph for the whole stretch then install traffic lights at the dump entrance, the Habitat Store, and Quality Built Homes.
mymindwanders 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Toda-The railroad tracks ARE Terrible. They have been that way forever. Seems like it would be an easy fix.
buddysmith 3 months, 2 weeks ago
when the railroad goes bankrupt, like every other business in the country, there will be no more need for the railroad tracks at all! then it can be paved and pothole nightmare solved
fugitiveguy 3 months, 2 weeks ago
"The rail crossing at Builder First Source is a pot hole nightmare; tires and suspension take a beating."
I hit a hole there the other night, lost a tire and a filling at the same time.
Toda 3 months, 2 weeks ago
"truthmatterstome2 21 hours, 13 minutes ago What does the traffic circle at the airport have to do with traffic speed on highway 5?"
Here's your link:
Comments on that page reflect land use as well as road improvements ~ for visitors who don't travel Hwy 5. That was the reason for my comment. Were you offended or just naive?
Toda 3 months, 2 weeks ago
"AFCHIEF 19 hours, 1 minute ago Toda just making another bitter comment for some reason last time I cue he'd everyone uses both large traffic circles"
Toda 3 months, 2 weeks ago
" Also, take the license from half of the drivers from Pinehurst!"
MooreNorth 3 months, 2 weeks ago
deepcreek~the speed limit there is 55. A turn lane would be nice. People that could drive would be better. No need to lower the limit, as drivers constantly run 45 and hold up traffic already. 35 would be absolutely ridiculous. Why not make it 10?