City, county are studying a lower speed limit on part of Middle Calmar Road

A lower speed limit is possible in the future for northbound MIddle Calmar Road, just south of the Decorah city limits.

County Engineer Lee Bjerke says the issue has come up after several accidents in the area.  There has also been an increase in the number of new houses built in the area where Division Street becomes Middle Calmar Road.

Since the area includes both City of Decorah and rural Winneshiek County property, both governments will be involved in any decision.

Decorah City Administrator Chad Bird says it's likely the city's radar speed monitoring unit will be set up on the road to collect data on the speed of vehicles hearing northbound.

The speed limit on Division Street is 35 miles an hour.  Bjerke says that same speed limit might be used on the portion of Middle Calmar Road being studied.