HUBBARD Trustees ask state to lower speed limit near truck stop

A Hubbard Township cruiser was nearly struck by a semi at the Flying J entrance.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Township trustees are seeking help from the state to ease traffic flow around the new Flying J Truck Plaza.
Trustee Fred Hanley said traffic near the truck stop on Routes 7/62 just north of Interstate 80 has dramatically increased since it opened Feb. 25.
Trustees agreed Monday to ask the Ohio Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit from 55 mph to 40 from Chestnut Ridge Road, south to Truck World, a competing truck stop across the road at Interstate 80.
Hanley said motorists have been clocked at 80 to 90 mph, with one speeding at 100 mph.
"Maybe it's time to slow this down. We need some help on this," he said.
The trustee said a township police car was nearly involved in a crash at the Flying J entrance because of speed and the lack of a signal.
Chief's warning
In a March 7 letter, Police Chief Tod Coonce warned trustees of the dangerous condition.
Coonce wrote he has received complaints from motorists who daily use Routes 7/62 and have witnessed tractor-trailers pulling out from the truck plaza into traffic in front of them.
Trustees are also seeking a traffic signal at the Flying J entrance because truck traffic must cross over the southbound lanes to go north.
Hanley said he was surprised ODOT had not installed signals.
Trustees are also seeking temporary signs in the area to call attention to new traffic patterns such as turning lanes that were put in to accommodate the truck plaza.
They also want street lights installed around Flying J to provide motorists with a better view of the area.
yovich@vindy.com