BURTON MAYOR ISSUES STATEMENT ON HIGHWAY 290 SPEED REDUCTION
The mayor of Burton has released a statement further explaining the city’s decision to reduce the speed on Highway 290 within city limits.
In the statement by Mayor David Zajicek, he said the city received multiple complaints from citizens that were concerned about the hazard of entering and exiting Highway 290. He said citizens were given the chance to sign a petition asking if they would like to see the speed limit on Highway 290 lowered, adding that the city received “many positive responses and signatures”.
Zajicek also stated that Highway 290 has become the site for several new businesses over the last few years, including Dollar General and Bootleggers. He said the city is expecting another business to open its doors along the highway later this year.
According to the statement, TxDOT agreed to perform a study on the traffic flow on Highway 290 after both Zajicek and State Representative Ben Leman directly contacted them. After the study was completed, TxDOT determined the maximum they would allow for the speed limit to be reduced through city limits would be from 70 mph to 65 mph.
The Burton City Council voted last month to approve the reduction, following approval by TxDOT. Zajicek said cities are not allowed to change the speed limit without TxDOT’s prior approval. He said later this year, TxDOT will place blinking warning lights at the main intersections in Burton, to warn drivers to slow down for traffic entering and leaving Highway 290.
Zajicek also explained that other cities and towns along the highway, like Chappell Hill, Carmine, and Paige, have reduced speed limits as low as 55 mph. He said he seriously doubts that travelers will look for an alternate route to avoid Burton because of this speed reduction.
Zajicek reiterated Burton’s speed limit was not lowered in order to create a speed trap, but rather to protect citizens, businesses, and visitors to Burton.
Full statement from Mayor David Zajicek below:
This is in response to the article that appeared on the KWHI News website.
This is to set the record straight on how the process of lowering a speed limit on a state highway is achieved in the State of Texas; according to the Texas Department of Transportation, (TxDot).
The City of Burton had received multiple complaints from citizens that were concerned about the hazard of entering and exiting Highway 290. A petition was created and citizens were given the chance to sign if they would like to see the speed limit on Highway 290 lowered to 60 miles per hour. The City received many positive responses and signatures.
Within the last few years, several new businesses have opened along Highway 290. There is the Dollar General Store and Bootleggers. Also, later this year we are expecting another business to open their doors along the highway.
I contacted TxDot directly about lowering the speed limit; as did Representative Ben Lehman. TxDot agreed to conduct a study on the traffic flow on Highway 290.
After the study was completed, it was determined by TxDot that the maximum they would allow for the speed limit to be lowered through the city limits would be from 70 mph to 65 mph.
After it was approved by TXDot, the Burton City Council voted to approve the change. Cities are not allowed to change the speed limit without prior approval from TxDot.
Later in the year, TxDot will be placing blinking warning lights at the main intersections into Burton to warn motorists to slow down for traffic entering and exiting Hwy 290.
There are other cities along Hwy 290 that have lower speed limits than Burton. Paige, with a population similar to Burton’s, is incorporated and has a 55mph speed limit. Chappell Hill is an un-incorporated city off of 290 with a 60 mph speed limit and a traffic light. The City of Carmine has a speed limit of 55 mph. I seriously doubt if people will look for an alternate route to avoid Burton, as one of the comments left online has suggested.
We did not have the speed limit lowered so we could have a speed trap, but we will enforce it to protect the citizens, businesses and visitors to our city.
Simple solution resulting in the best safety for drivers would be to add a eastbound only service road on south side of bridge ( a bridge is a natural overpass and traffic diverter ) and use the current 290 access for west bound only. TXDOT doing their job is the answer and our state representatives should get it done. Flood their phones with the request.
The lower speed limit is to help bring in a new cop since Burton doesnt have one. Lowering the speed limit 5 mph isnt going to change anything. If they were concerned with safety then it would have been lowered to 55mph or 60mph like the other towns mentioned IMO.
TxDot would only allow the 5 mph reduction as stated in the Mayor’s letter above. Lynda Zajicek
Where Mayor Zajicek says, “We did not have the speed limit lowered so we could have a speed trap, but we will enforce it…”, did he misspeak or does that mean that the City of Burton is planning to hire a police officer? How else would the municipality enforce it?
The Washington County Sheriff’s office will be responsible for maintaining speed limits. Lynda Zajicek
The Washington County Sheriff’s office will be responsible for maintaining speed limits. Also, DPS have officers that enforce the speed limits. Lynda Zajicek
Taking an action for the sake of taking an action shows a complete and total lack of common sense. A 5 mph speed reduction does nothing to change risk or behavior from motorists. You will now add the possible hazard of law enforcement stopping people in this area creating additional hazards and risks for motorists to have to watch out for. If this is a token action to placate the locals, maybe they spend their time and effort seeking more effective infrastructure that allows for safe entrance and exit to the City of Burton instead of penalizing everyone for simply passing by their city. Burton is clearly set off the highway and always has been, to compare it to towns where the highway passes through the middle of the community is silly.
Mr Wrong, or what ever your name is, you have no common sense when it comes to traffic hazards.
Just to be clear, the city of Burton is located on both sides of 290. Lynda Zajicek
While this is true there is an overpass connecting both sides! You don’t need to get on 290 to get from one side to the other. Obvious speed trap. And the same gentleman that was enforcing it as the Burton cop will now be enforcing it as the Constable!
Speed limit should be reduced from N/S Berlin westward all the way past Burton. So many wrecks!