Commissioners vote to lower speed limit

GONZALES — County commissioners on Monday voted to lower the speed limit at a location north of town that has been the site of recent car crashes. County Judge David Bird drew up a resolution to reduce the speed limit on Highway 183 North near County Road 244 (close to the Benny Boyd car dealership) from 70 mph to 55 mph.

“There have been quite a few wrecks in that area,” Bird told commissioners. “We’ve asked for turning lanes out there as well. I think this might help.”

The most recent collision in the area occurred on Feb. 13, and resulted in two people being taken to Gonzales Memorial Hospital. They were reported to have sustained non-capacitating injuries.

Commissioners signed the resolution, which will be passed on to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for approval. TxDOT representatives had not responded to a question about their procedure for changing speed limits as of press time Monday.

In other business, commissioners:

•    Canvassed the Feb. 17, 2015 special runoff election for Texas House District 17. County Clerk Lee Riedel said votes totaled some 741, with 306 coming on election day and 435 in early voting.

•    Approved budget amendments

•    Approved bills