WYDOT Will Not Move Speed Limit Sign On Request From Medicine Bow Officials

June 4, 2024 |

Photo – Medicine Bow Speed Limit Sign – Courtesy Google Maps

For safety reasons, Medicine Bow officials asked WYDOT to move its state speed limit signs outside of town limits. The state Department of Transportation in Cheyenne refused the town’s request.

The speed limit on Highway 30 is 70 miles and hour until you reach Medicine Bow town limits. The speed limit then decreases to 30.

At the February 12^th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Mayor Justin George said he wants to move the reduced speed limit signs farther away from the town. Mayor George said vehicles are still legally traveling at 70 miles an hour inside of the town limits.

The town council asked Public Works Director Brian Lashley to contact the Wyoming Department of Transportation and have the speed limits signs moved outside of town. During the March 11^th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Public Works Director Lashley said WYDOT refused to move the signs. Lashley said that the state agency’s response was that the sign placement isn’t unique to Medicine Bow.

Lashley said he’ll continue talking to WYDOT about moving the signs.

At the May 13^th Medicine Bow town council meeting, Lashley once again said WYDOT will not move the signs. The public works director said a costly traffic study must be performed and the state agency refuses to pay.

Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer said she doesn’t understand why the signs aren’t on the edge of town. Lashley said a WYDOT representative told him that speed limit signs are handled the same way across the state.

Mayor George said motorists are still traveling at 70 miles an hour past residential streets. The mayor acknowledged that WYDOT is unlikely to fix the issue quickly.

Medicine Bow Town Attorney Cameron Smith asked Lashley if WYDOT formally denied his request to move the signs.

The Town Attorney said an official denial would provide the town with an opportunity to have the decision overruled in court. The public works director said he will ask the state agency to send him a formal letter refusing the town’s request.

Public Works Director Lashley said he will let the town council know when he hears back from WYDOT.