NYSDOT Denies Homer’s Request to Lower Route 281 Speed Limit in Village

The speed limit on Route 281 in the Village of Homer will remain unchanged, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) told the village in a letter sent to Homer Police Chief Pitman. The speed limit will remain 35mph following a study by the NYSDOT after the Homer Police Department submitted a request to lower the limit to 30mph.

According to the NYSDOT, their study showed that 85% of motorists on Route 281 in the Village of Homer obey the 35mph speed limit, Trustee Ed Finkbeiner noted during Tuesday’s Board of Trustees meeting he believes that 15% of motorists who exceed the speed limit drive at least 40 or even 50 mph.  

Chief Pitman noted during the Trustees meeting Tuesday evening that the NYSDOT could consider a reduction in the speed limit if a petition is made by residents within the village as well as a letter of support of a reduction by the Board of Trustees themselves, something the board agreed they would do.