Speeding on county roads an issue throughout the county

Speed studies have been completed on roads throughout Big Horn County.  Acting county engineer Matt Leonhardt shared with the commission the results from the study on Lane 38, Road 18 and Lane 7.

 The engineer’s office is recommending 55 mph speed signs be placed on the Lane 38. There are currently no speed limit signs on the road. Leonhardt noted that the volume on the road was higher than he expected. In a little over a week, there were 9,000 cars on the road. 

Southend Road & Bridge supervisor Shannan Hovey said they discussed putting the speed signs at each end of the road plus a couple near Roads 5½ and 7.  He also advised putting 35 mph signs at two of the corners on the road. 

Leonhardt also cited speeding complaints on Road 18.  “The average speed for that is 25 mph. The 85th percentile was 30 mph.  I don’t think action needs to be taken.” The vehicle count was around 650. 

Northend Road & Bridge supervisor Eric Mann explained it is a dead-end road. Most of the people that travel on it are residents. There are currently no speed limit signs on the road. Mann suggested putting up 30 mph speed sign at the start of the road. 

Also discussed was Lane 7, which is the road to the Deaver Reservoir. Leonhardt said the speed study showed the 85th percentile was 36 mph. The average was 29 mph. It also has no speed signs. The vehicle count was around 780. A suggestion was to place 30 mph signs on both ends. 

The commission approved new speed limit signs on Lane 38, Road 18 and Lane 7. 

Carolyn and John Blair addressed their concerns about traffic on County Road 31. John told the commissioner it was a quarter mile drag strip. 

They also have concerns about dust on the road, and traffic to a drug house on that road. 

 He had requested a speed limit sign at one point. When this didn’t happen, he put up his own signs which helped a little bit. John explained that the sheriff’s office has asked them to get license plate numbers. Carolyn noted they also put up “Animals on Road” and “Children on Road” signs. “Just the other day I had a car pass me on Highway 14 and then turn down that road zipping along. Ten minutes later it zipped by our place. They were going well over 55 mph. You couldn’t even see a license plate. “ 

They have also had people cutting through their property to get to the county road. They put up an electric fence to stop it. 

The Blairs explained there was also a lot of speeding truck traffic from an excavation company that was working out of a shop in that area. That traffic has slowed down but could pick up as there is a new subdivision. 

Hovey told the commission that the road is more like 20 feet wide versus the standard 24 feet wide. John said where the culvert is the road is probably even more narrow. 

The county will place the speed study equipment on that road. Once the study is done, they will meet with the Blairs again. 

OTHER ROAD/BRIDGE BUSINESS 

Right-of-way permits were reviewed and approved on Road 31, Orchard Bench Road and Lane 33 ½. 

 Mann and Hovey discussed the issue of Russian olive trees in the right-of-way. Big Horn County Weed & Pest used to spray the trees but with a reduction in their budget aren’t able to. The county is going to explore some options, including a possible grant to pay for spraying of the trees again. They also discussed staff shortages, CDLs and pay disparities between the county vs. private business. 

OTHER BUSINESS

•Danae and Pablo Good followed up on their concern with DEQ regarding their property on Red Gluch. 

• County Prevention Coordinator Travis Sylvester appeared via zoom. 

• Gretchen Kelso-Gavoda and Melissa Cook from U.W. Extension gave department updates. 

•Paul Thur, airport manager, gave the commission the airport department update. 

• Land planner Stephanie May presented her department report. 

• Acting county planner Cozette Winters updated the commission on irrigation levies. 

• An executive session was held with county attorney Marcia Bean regarding potential litigation.