In response to a couple’s recent suggestion, the Police Commission, in its role as the local traffic authority, is asking the state Department of Transportation (DOT) to study and consider increasing the speed limit on the eastern section of Wasserman Way from its current 30-mph posting.

Police Commission members discussed the topic at an April 7 meeting.

Recently, Deborra and Charles Zukowski of Cornfield Ridge Road suggested increasing the speed limit on the eastern section of Wasserman Way to encourage more motorists to use that street as a bypass road for the town center, and thus alleviate some traffic pressure on Main Street.

The area under consideration for an increased speed limit lies to the east of Reed Intermediate School.

The state rebuilt and greatly enlarged what formerly was known as Mile Hill Road and renamed it Wasserman Way in the late 1990s to serve as a bypass road for the town center. Wasserman Way was intended to facilitate traffic flow between the Exit 11 interchange of Interstate 84 and State Route 25 (South Main Street). The improved road also improved public access to Garner Correctional Institution on Nunnawauk Road.

Police Chief Michael Kehoe told Police Commission members he does not expect that increasing the Wasserman Way speed limit would alleviate traffic pressure in the town center. The police chief added he does not believe that motorists now avoid using Wasserman Way because its eastern section has a 30-mph speed limit.

Also, raising the speed limit there could result in more motor vehicle accidents occurring, the police chief said.

Police Officer Scott Ruszczyk told commission members that motorists probably drive about 40 to 45 miles per hour in the area posted with a 30-mph speed limit on the eastern section of Wasserman Way.

Motorists speed there, he said. “They move on that road,” he added.

The western end of Wasserman Way has a 25-mph speed limit due to a difficult set of curves in the road.

Police Commission member Virgil Procaccini, Jr, said it is difficult to understand how the eastern section of Wasserman Way has a 30-mph limit, when sections of Route 25 have 40-mph and 45-mph speed limits.

Mr Procaccini and commission member Brian Budd agreed that 30-mph speed limit on Wasserman Way should be increased. Member Joel Faxon agreed, saying that a 40-mph limit would be acceptable.

But Chairman Paul Mangiafico said he does not see the value of increasing the speed limit.

Member Andrew Sachs said that the speed limit should not be increased because it would encourage speeding by motorists.

In a 4-1 vote, commission members then approved a motion seeking to have the DOT study whether the speed limit on the eastern section of Wasserman Way should be increased from 30-mph. Mr Mangiafico voted in opposition.

Wasserman Way is the state’s Special Service Road 490, but the route number is not posted.