In what she claims was an effort to avoid future litigation, Gov. Jennifer Granholm vetoed a bill that would have restored the 25 mile-per-hour speed limits on gravel roads.
Officials in Orion Township supported, through resolution, the effort to have local speed limits on gravel roads reduced.
Granholm cited already existing state law regarding speeds on gravel roads, along with concerns that the change could lead to ‘a constitutional challenge? under the Michigan Constitutioin of 1963.
‘I do not believe such an exception is appropriate,? she wrote, in a letter to the state Senate. ‘Michigan law already prohibits the operation of a motor vehhicle at a speed that is too fast for the conditions of the roadway.
‘Finally, I am concerned that enactment of Senate Bill 248 could lead to litigation.?
Had the bill been approved by the Governor, it would have returned numerous gravel roads to the posted 25 mph speed limit, before Public Act 85 of 2006 increased them all as of Nov. 9.
Public Act 85 of 2006 eliminated the 25 mph speed limit on 283 gravel and segments of dirt roads in Oakland County, including some in Orion Township. As of Nov. 9, the new state law raised the speed limit on the vast majority of affected roads to the maximum speed of 55 mph.
Critics argued that the higher speed limit was too fast and created serious safety hazards for motorists, pedestrians and residents on gravel roads.
Following recent public outcry, state Rep. Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion) and state Sen. Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) collaborated to amend SB 248 to counteract Public Act 85.
SB 248 would have restored the previous 25 mph limits until January 2009, and allowed local governments the power to petition the road commission for increases, should they choose.
For township reaction and a list of what roads will be changed, see next week’s Review.