To address some drivers who are traveling up to 30 miles per hour over the current speed limit, Wildwood’s City Council is set to vote Nov. 24 on final approval of legislation that would reduce the speed limit on Centaur Road, between a railroad crossing near the city’s boundary with Chesterfield and Eatherton Road, from 45 to 35 miles per hour.
The rest of Centaur, between Wild Horse Creek Road and the railroad crossing, would remain at the current 30 mph limit.
Ryan Thomas, the city’s director of public works, has told the Council that the current 45 mph segment crosses the Monarch Chesterfield Levee, where a new floodgate with a concrete wall was added last year next to the road by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and where a future trailhead and parking area are planned for a connection to the Monarch Chesterfield Levee Trail. With these improvements and the anticipated increase in bike and pedestrian traffic expected to be associated with it, vehicle speeds on Centaur are becoming a greater concern.
Thomas has said the city’s Board of Public Safety recommended lowering the speed in the 45 mph stretch, to provide for a more appropriate speed limit and cause a more gradual transition from one speed limit zone to another on Centaur.
A speed survey was conducted last month on the narrow road with no shoulders, and it showed speeds in excess of 70 mph on this stretch. However, Councilmember Marc Cox (Ward 4) said Nov. 10 that he “can’t help but continue to believe a lower speed limit won’t help fix the problem at that location.”
“I feel people will continue to speed,” he said. “Increased traffic enforcement may do a better job.”
Councilmembers Jim Bowlin (Ward 6) and Debra Smith McCutchen (Ward 5) agreed on the need for better enforcement of current limits before any change.
Thomas said the Board, in addition to a lowering of the speed limit, recommended increased radar enforcement (particularly during times when the Monarch Chesterfield Levee Trail sees its heaviest use) by St. Louis County Police who patrol Wildwood under contract.
Cox admitted one resident had emailed the council that she had seen more police enforcement in the last few weeks than in the eight years before at that location and that it had made a difference. That resident, it was noted, also called for stormwater retention improvements on that part of the road. And Thomas said the speed limit will become more of an issue as the trailhead, which would enhance current sight distance challenges for some on the road, which has no shoulders and where weather sometimes causes drainage problems.
Councilmember Glen De Hart (Ward 1) said he often sees stormwater and mud on the road, which should be addressed; however, overall he supported the lower limit.
“Also, we’ll need significantly more speed limit signs – there are only one or two now,” he said.
Councilmember Sue Cullinane (Ward 3) said the plans for changing the speed limit are predicated on issues such as sight distance and road conditions.
“Leaving the limit at 45 is an accident waiting to happen,” she said.
Mayor Tim Woerther said a police officer recently dealt with a motorist who drove off Centaur right into water when the road had flooded. He noted, “The new limit won’t solve all problems. We’ll need that enforcement, too.”
Councilmember Larry McGowen (Ward 1) said he often hikes on the road.
“Where that flood gate was put in, I see cars sail over that small hill. It’s an area that can be very dangerous,” McGowen said.
