A shot of the stretch of East CR 200N within city limits. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission discussed posting speed limit signs on East CR 200N at its meeting Wednesday afternoon, March 4.

The commission passed a motion to post signs designating the 30 miles per hour speed limit on the section of East CR 200N that falls within the city limits. A sign designating where East CR 200N exists within the city limits will be installed as well.

Previously unposted, 30 miles per hour is the default speed limit within that section of the city limits. Traffic Safety Commissioner Lance Grubbs cited a concern that motorists may not be aware of the speed limit change when coming out of the county. The speed limit outside of the city limits is 45 mph.

City Plan Commissioner Jeremy Skinner. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

The section of East CR 200N where signs would be installed falls between Husky Trail/ North CR 100E and US 30 near R&B Car Company. This section of  East CR 200N was annexed by the city for the airport industrial park. A blind curve, several businesses and a Growing Kids Learning Center location exist on this stretch of East CR 200N.

The subject was last addressed at a commission meeting in July 2019, but was tabled and fell off the agenda, according to City Plan Commissioner Jeremy Skinner. Traffic Saftey Commissioner Jack Wilhite said there may have been a “hiccup” regarding ordinances, suggesting that’s why the issue fell off the agenda for nearly a year.

Julianne Divine, director of the Growing Kids Learning Center, voiced the need for a posted speed limit on the stretch of East CR 200N. The daycare is located on East CR 200N. She claimed she recently contacted the city about progress on establishing a posted speed limit.

The daycare opened in June 2019, according to Divine.

The black line on the map highlights the stretch of East CR 200N that falls within the city limits.

“It might have been about the time this whole thing got put together,” said Mayor Joe Thallemer of the plans for posted speed limits.

“I’ve had parents complaining and comments that cars are just flying down the road,” said Divine. “Since most parents have to slow down, stop and wait to get into our center, it’s posing a risk and making them nervous.”

Even though the part of the property where children are present is fenced in, “because we could have up to 200 kids there, it’s a huge concern for us,” Divine said. “The speed limit is not posted, people are just going really fast there.”

Public Works Superintendent Jeff Beeler said his crew would get the signs installed as soon as possible. Warsaw Police Chief Scott Whitaker offered the use of the department’s digital speed sign once it is operational later this month.

From Left: Warsaw Traffic Safety Commissioner Lance Grubbs and Mayor Joe Thallemer. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

In a related matter, the commission passed a recommendation to the Warsaw City Council to amend the ordinance pertaining to three-way and four-way stops. A change in language on the state level requires three-way and four-way stops to be redesigned as all-way stops. There are “very few” three-way stops along East CR 200N, according to Beeler.

Other business included:

• The commission tabled handicap parking in the 500 block of East Market Street for the third time. City Plan Commissioner Jeremy Skinner said he has not heard back from the Warsaw Parks Department regarding placement of the handicap spot near Fribley Field.
• The next Warsaw Traffic Safety Commission meeting will be at 1 p.m. March 31 in the Council Chambers at Warsaw City Hall.