Council considering more relaxed traffic flow on Pickerel Pond Road

LACONIA — Traffic on Pickerel Pond Road could be slower, and seasonally limited by vehicle weight, if city council approves a measure on Monday night.

The current speed limit on Pickerel Pond Road is 35 miles per hour, which is the default speed limit as set by state law. However, the law provides for a lower speed limit — as low as 25 mph — if the municipality approves as such.

The request for the change asked the city to reduce the speed limit and to prohibit large trucks from using the road.

An analysis of the road found the width of the road varies from 19 to 22 feet, there are no sidewalks or shoulders for pedestrians and sight lines are often less than 250 feet. The city doesn’t have records for any speed-related accidents there in recent years, and trucks do travel the road when making local deliveries.

State law, according to a staff report provided to councilors, doesn’t allow municipalities to impose an outright prohibition on trucks using a public road. However, the city could impose a more restrictive maximum load limit based on the local highway agent’s determination such a limit could prevent significant damage. Further, drivers of vehicles that exceed that limit could still use the road if they receive a permit from the city, which would allow for heating fuel, telecommunications and parcel delivery trucks to service local residents.

The Public Works Department recommends city council lower the speed limit to 30 mph, and set the weight limit at 20,000 pounds.

The Monday, Aug. 26 meeting of the Laconia City Council will begin at 7 p.m., and will take place in the Armand A. Bolduc City Council Chamber, located on City Hall’s second floor at 45 Beacon St. E.