The New York State Department of Transportation has rejected a request from the Town of Ashland and the Chemung County Legislature to lower the speed limit on state route 427 in the Town of Ashland.
In July, the Town of Ashland passed a resolution asking the state to lower the speed limit, it was then that Chemung County Legislator Rodney J. Strange sought the approval of the County Legislature in support of that resolution.
Strange circulated petitions that garnered more than 500 signatures in support of asking the state to reduce the speed limit. In a letter from Paul E. McAnany, the Acting Regional Traffic Engineer, he stated: “After assessing the characteristics of this roadway and taking the radar data and accident history into consideration, we are in concurrence that 55 MPH is the appropriate speed for this section of road.”
Legislator Strange said that the safety of Lower Maple Avenue will continue to be a priority for him in the future. “With the refusal of the state DOT to reduce the speed limit on this 3.2 mile section of roadway, state route 427 will remain one of the most dangerous and deadliest roads in Chemung County.” Strange continued, “I will continue to seek ways to make this road safer for the residents, farmers, businesses, and the drivers who use this road on a daily basis.”