Speed limits lowered in parts of Bartlett

Speed limit decreases are going into effect on two stretches of West Bartlett Road and one section of Struckman Boulevard in Bartlett.

Last year, the Bartlett Police Department received a request from the executive director of Clare Oaks to do a traffic study near the entrance of the facility, as elderly residents were having difficulty turning left on West Bartlett Road from Carillion Drive.

After reviewing the crash history, sightlines and traffic data from that area, the police department and the village’s public works department agreed reducing the speed limit on West Bartlett Road was warranted.

Between Devon Avenue and Route 59 the speed limit will be decreased from 45 to 40 miles per hour, and between Western and Devon avenues the speed limit will be decreased from 40 to 35 miles per hour.

Police Chief Kent Williams said at a village board meeting Tuesday that additional recommendations to help Clare Oaks residents also have been implemented, including the trimming of trees and other foliage near the entrance. Residents have also been encouraged to exit Carillion Drive at Devon Avenue, where there is less traffic.

The recommendation for a speed limit decrease on Struckman Boulevard came about after a group of people who live in the area asked the police department to consider the change.

Williams said the residents were concerned because the addition of a third park on Struckman Boulevard has caused increased traffic. The 35 miles per hour speed limit was also inconsistent with other “collector” streets, which are used by motorists to cut through to busier roads.

The speed limit on Struckman Boulevard between South Bartlett Road and Route 59 will now be 30 miles per hour. Williams said new speed limit signage on both Struckman Boulevard and West Bartlett Road will be emphasized with red cloth flags attached to them.