The Bellaire City Council held the second public hearing on the temporary installed speed humps along Elm Street — from South Rice Avenue to Highway 610 — and heard from Brant Gary, the city’s Director of Public Works, on the data collected before and after the speed humps.
The council heard from five speakers who were in favor of the speed humps.
Before the speed humps were installed:
- Three percent drove at 41 mph
- 44 percent drove between 31-40 mph
- 44 percent drove between 21-30 mph
- Nine percent drove less than 20 mph
After the speed humps were installed:
- One percent drove at 41 mph
- Seven percent drove between 31-40 mph
- 73 percent drove between 21-30 mph
- 19 percent drove under 20 mph
“There was no increase in traffic volume,” said Gary. “And I think it’s safe to say that we can conclude our findings that based on the data observed, there have been no negative impacts to traffic patterns in the area.”
Council originally authorized the installation of the speed humps in March 2015. The speed humps were subsequently installed in October 2015. Four speed humps were added on Elm Street between 3rd, Holton, North 2nd, and Jaquet Drive.
Council woman Michael Fife raised a concerned regarding the city’s emergency responders and whether the speed humps on Elm Street hampered them.
“We don’t see that as a huge detriment to us providing the service as is needed,” said Bellaire Fire Chief Darryl Anderson addressing Fife’s concerns.
The council will hold final deliberations at its May 16 meeting and possibly take action on whether to make the speed humps permanent.
The council will next meet Thursday at 8:30 a.m. at its pre-budget retreat workshop session that is expected to last until 5 p.m. The meeting is open to the public and will be held in the second floor of the Bellaire Family Aquatic Center, located at 7001, Fifth Street, in the CenterPoint Community Center.
Facebook Comments