Prairie Creek Reservoir: Delaware County Commissioners Plan Stop Signs To Lower Speeds

Stop signs could soon be coming to roads in Prairie Creek Reservoir to help what officials say is a speeding problem.  IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports.

During their next meeting at the end of this month, the Delaware County Commissioners will consider an ordinance to add stop signs to two intersections at the reservoir.

County Roads 400 South and 450 South meet up with the county road that carries the main traffic through Prairie Creek.  The intersections are near the marina and boat ramp.  Commissioner Shannon Henry says after hearing complaints about speeding, he’s been out to observe the road several times himself.

“The speed limit out there is 30.  And there’s nobody going 30, at all.  They’re going anywhere from 40-65 down that road.  And with bicycles present, people stand along the bridges.  It’s very dangerous.”

Linda Michael and her husband have owned Michael’s Dry Dock Marina for two years, but have lived on that same road for more than 20 years.

“Directly in front of the marina, I watch this every day.  Now is getting our busy time.  I’ve got my guys pulling out, bringing these boats back and forth from the piers.  They’re trying to pull out of the parking lot with our trucks and trailers, just about getting hit when you’ve got somebody traveling 60 miles an hour.  It’s pretty hard to see these people ‘til they’re right on you.”

At a Tuesday meeting, commissioners agreed speeding at the reservoir is a problem, but need to adopt an ordinance at the September 20 meeting to officially put in stop signs.

Henry says the county has recently purchased some electronic signs and they’ll use them to caution reservoir drivers for a while.

Update: A public hearing on these stop signs will happen on October 4.