Published Friday, August 30, 2002
no passing allowed
Herald Staff Writer
Things are slowing down on Trout Island Road in Hermitage -- city commissioners agreed Wednesday to post the speed limit to 35 mph and make it a no-passing zone -- and some residents have mixed feelings about it.
John Wolfe, of 2185 Trout Island Road, said he doesn't mind the new speed limit, but doesn't care for the no-passing restriction.
"Everyone who lives here knows where to pass," he said. "The 35 mph might not be too bad though, because I've had more than one dog or cat killed out here."
"I think Hermitage is too big for its britches," he added. "It's only a two-lane road. What I'd like to see is them putting up signs that say no jogging or no walking. They make my dog bark. They think they have license plates on their butts and take up the whole road."
J. Ernest Bernice, of 2265 Trout Island Road, is happy with the change.
"I think it's wonderful," he said, noting that trying to get his boat out of his driveway before the limits was like "running the gauntlet."
The northern half of Trout Island Road is in South Pymatuning Township and was posted at 35 mph, but its southern section -- about a mile -- is in Hermitage. It runs south to Lamor Road, which crosses North Hermitage Road. There was previously no posted speed limit.
Hermitage Police Chief Ed Stanton said drivers wanting to bypass construction on North Hermitage Road are using Trout Island Road.
"We know there's a little more traffic on that road now, even though we've normally had no problems on the road," he said, explaining that prior to tar and chipping, the road had a double line. "We just wanted to officially post it."
According to a Hermitage police traffic safety study done by patrolman Gregory J. Dunn, along that stretch there are six bends and three dips which create numerous blind spots for motorists.
Bernice, who says his driveway is on one of those dips and is very difficult to exit, hopes the change will make things safer.
"I have a 3-year-old grandson and two 7-year-old granddaughters," he said. "If we walk down the driveway, they are always with us, but it only takes one step, and they way people drive here, we could have a real catastrophe."