Larry Curtis, chief of the Millersburg Fire Protection District, said Wednesday he is pleased the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) plans to lower the speed limit along state highways inside the city limits of Millersburg.
On Tuesday the state highway agency will lower the speed limit from 50 mph to 45 mph within Millersburg along Route WW and the southern portion of Route J.
The speed limit on the northern portion of Route J through Millersburg will be lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph.
"The highways through Millersburg are becoming more congested," Curtis said. "One reason is the increased traffic passing through Millersburg on the way to Columbia or the Little Dixie Lake. We also have increased traffic to the convenience store and the day care center. It all adds up to more traffic."
Curtis said the area includes "a curvy stretch of road with limited visibility."
The Millersburg area also has experienced several traffic accidents. Curtis noted there was a collision Saturday involving a motorcycle and a pickup with a trailer in Millersburg.
"We asked MoDOT to consider lowering the speed limit to make it safer for local people as well as those traveling through Millersburg," Curtis said.