Cedarbrook Road Gets Speed Limit Adjusted

Who says government moves glacially?

South Whitehall officials are rejoicing in news that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the township have come together in solving the inconsistencies in the speed limits on Cedarbrook Road.

Partly owned by the state and partly owned by South Whitehall Township, the small stretch of roadway had sign postings of 20 mph and 40 mph. At least one motorist had complained, and The Morning Call's Road Warrior Dan Hartzell in January had taken up the cause.

Now, following a PennDOT traffic study, the road is posted at 30 mph, with two advisories for 20 mph where there are hidden driveways. PennDOT also posted new speed limit signs.

"There's uniformity there," said PennDOT spokesman Sean Brown. "It's not so confusing."

At Wednesday night's commissisioners meeting, board President Brad Osborne read an email from a township resident who lauded officials on what he felt was quick resolution. Osborne gave special thanks to township Manager Jon Hammer, who in turn thanked PennDOT.

Here's how things got so confusing:

* South Whitehall, which owns the hilly stretch of Cedarbrook from Broadway to Walnut Street, had the road posted at 20 mph.

* PennDOT's section of road, which begins at Walnut Street toward Dorney Park Road, had no sign posting initially, which meant the speed limit defaulted to 55 mph. To resolve that, PennDOT last year posted its section at 40 mph, not noting the township rules.

After hearing complaints, PennDOT's traffic engineer worked in conjunction with South Whitehall to come up with a uniform solution, Brown said. The traffic survey indicated 30 mph would be appropriate.

"I think everybody should be happy with this," Brown said.