In Vernon, Skinner Road Speed Monitor Getting More Action These Days

VERNON, CT — A speed monitor near a school zone in Vernon is getting a bit more action these days, but it also seems to be working.

The speed monitor sits just north of the school zone for Skinner Road School. It was installed about a year-and-a-half ago as part of the Safe Routes to Schools grant that funded the sidewalks that now stretch from Skinner Road to Rockville High School. It's solar powered and lights up when a vehicle approaches to show its speed.

An indicators shows when that speed is greater than the limit.

About half the traffic — that coming from the Five Corners roundabout — has encountered the speed monitor on a daily basis for about 18 months now. That changed in the spring when construction began to replace the bridge on Dart Hill Road that spans the Hockanum River. Detours ave been sending traffic up Route 83 to Windsorville Road, to the roundabout and onto Skinner Road.

The detour will be in place though most of the fall so all traffic to and from the school will all head past the speed monitor. School is scheduled to start Thursday.

Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne said the speed monitor was the perfect finishing touch to the Safe Routes project. Skinner Road is basically a straightaway that, despite several stop signs, sees it share of fast cars.

The posted speed limit on Skinner Road is 30 mph, except for the marked school zone, where it is posted at 20 mph, police said.

The monitor is designed to serve as a deterrent and does not record violations, police said.

Still, with the increased traffic from the north, it seems to be working.

Vernon Public Works Director Dwight Ryniewicz said highway crews have noticed more vehicles slowing down this summer as they move toward the school zone — and school wasn't even in session. He and Vernon police said even slower moving traffic is anticipated when school starts Thursday.