Re: Sierra City Speed Limits

Editor,

It is my understanding that, based solely on a recent traffic and engineering study, CalTrans is proposing significant changes to the speed limits in my hometown of Sierra City. While the west end of town would retain a 35 MPH zone, the 25 MPH section of highway in the center of town would be shortened, and the east end’s speed would be raised to a whopping 55 MPH. In order to grasp the absurdity of this plan, it is important to know a few basic facts about our little town. First and foremost, Sierra City hasn’t been a city since last century during the height of the gold mining era, and today the number of folks in town ebbs and flows dramatically throughout the year. I like to compare it to a movie set. On a winter morning or an evening during the shoulder seasons, you might think there is SAG strike because there is not a single actor in sight. Come summer however, the town is absolutely teeming with activity. Sierra City attracts visitors from all over the world, and many of them show up on foot because the Pacific Crest Trail crosses Highway #49 just above town. The highway is the only artery passing through town (unless you count the Yuba River) and it attracts cyclists, motorcycle groups, mountain bike shuttles, and all manner of car clubs. On top of steady summer tourist traffic, the town swells during special events. The world renowned Downieville Classic Mountain Bike Race starts in Sierra City, attracting huge crowds and clogging the town with pedestrians. And let’s not forget about the 225 people who call this place home. Virtually all the goods and services offered are along the highway between the city limits signs. Egress from the library and post office parking lots require backing onto the roadway. The firehouse is smack in the center of town; during medical and fire emergencies immediate access to the highway and parking for the volunteer responders are critical. Upon return, the vehicles must back into the station. A number of residential driveways also feed directly onto the road, there are no sidewalks, and very little shoulder exists for foot traffic. It seems to me that raising the speed limit entering our town and shortening the length of the slowest zone is a dangerous proposition. On its website, CalTrans states its mission: “Improving lives and communities through transportation.” Among its core values, the agency lists “Putting People First”, stating, “We consider how our work impacts people within the organization, within our communities, and throughout California”. Let’s hold them to their word and insist they prioritize safety for the people.

Respectfully,

Mary Nourse,

Sierra City