A recent veto of Senate Bill 248 by Gov. Jennifer Granholm may have ended a battle, but some elected officials in Orion Township believe the veto did not end the fight.
Granholm vetoed the bill, which would have given more local control in the setting of speed limits on gravel roads, because of the bill’s constitutionality (it was originally a bill that addressed speed limits).
But many officials in North Oakland County, including Orion Township, think the new criteria for setting gravel road speed limits (based entirely on access points) could work elsewhere but not here.
‘We’re very unique,? said Clerk Jill Bastian about Orion Township, which has many miles of gravel roads but also a large, and growing, population.
Trustee John Garlicki, who spearheaded the board’s action on the issue, said he has continued discussions with State Rep. Jim Marleau, and hopes changes to the new access point criteria will follow.
‘I’m confident that something will get accomplished,? Garlicki said.
The new criteria, which both Marleau and State Sen. Mike Bishop voted in favor of, went into effect on Nov. 9, making a large number of 25 mile per hour gravel roads an unposted 55 mph.
‘It would be nice if we could get some sort of a stopgap measure in place,? said Garlicki, who himself lives on a gravel road that will go unposted once the Road Commission of Oakland County removes the 25 mph signs.
‘Personally, what I think needs to be done is that the criteria needs to take into account site distance issues and other things of that nature,? he said. ‘To base it totally on curb-cuts (access points) is ridiculous.?
Garlicki and Bastian said Indian Lake Road, in the northeastern part of the township is just one example of a gravel road where kids play and it’s too dangerous to drive anywhere near 55 mph.
Because of what they call ‘constantly changing conditions,? Garlicki said the Michigan State Police questions the validity of engineering studies on gravel roads.
Garlicki said that stance, given the fact that the MSP has tremendous oversight on speed limit issues, brings into question how much ‘local control? the township would have had even if the bill was approved by the governor.
The bill to undo some of the Nov. 9 Public Act went through both the House and Senate in early December, during the ‘lame duck session,? but was vetoed on Dec. 22.
Garlicki said he’s glad that Bishop and Marleau are continuing the fight against the new speed limits and said he will do whatever he can to help the cause as well.
He added that he’d like to see the county do more to help.
‘I was disappointed that the county didn’t come out with a firmer position on it,? Garlicki said.
For a look at what roads will be changed, pick up a copy of this week’s hardcopy issue.