A traffic study is underway on Pea Ridge and Old Phoenix roads.
Putnam County Sheriff Howard R. Sills said he is conducting the study because of what he considers high traffic volumes and vehicle crashes on those two roads. Sills said he’s looking into possibly reducing the speed limits.
“It was already lowered on Old Phoenix between Wards Chapel Road and Highway 44, but the traffic has increased significantly, so it needs to be lowered again,” Sills said. “And we are having way too many accidents on both of those roads.”
A traffic study is required before any changes can be made, said Putnam County Manager Paul Van Haute. So, a county-owned, solar-powered traffic monitor was set up on the 700 block of Pea Ridge Road to gather the intel.
“The sign flashes what speed you’re traveling,” Van Haute explained. “It also tracks the data and counts the number of vehicles.”
The sheriff’s office is in the process of compiling the data on vehicle crashes, injuries, and deaths, Sills said. He is also looking into how many 18-wheelers travel those roads.