LETTER: Barrier idea good, lower speed limit better

I applaud the raised median concept put forth by state Rep. Mike Chapman. (“Chapman to seek funds for Morse Creek barrier,” PDN, Jan. 9).

I would add to that a further reduction to the speed limit in the Morse Creek curve on U.S. Highway 101.

The current speed limit of 45 mph seems appropriate, but my observation is that a lot of drivers commonly exceed the posted speed limits by 5 or 10 mph.

If we need drivers to not exceed 45, then a posted speed of 40 or even 35 is in order.

And being such a dangerous curve, I suggest installing an electronic vehicle speed monitoring device that displays vehicle speed.

And to further mitigate the excessive vehicle speeds through the Morse Creek curve, I suggest lowering the posted speed limit on 101 from 55 to 45 mph between Deer Park Road and Bagley Creek Road, westbound and eastbound.

Lowering the westbound speed limit from 55 to 45 mph from Bagley Creek Road to Deer Park Road would slow down vehicles before they approach the Deer Park Road/Deer Park Loop interchange and would yield a slower vehicle speed as they enter the Morse Creek curve.

Many eastbound drivers accelerate as they round the curve over Morse Creek, driving up to 50 or 55 mph, in my estimation, by the time they’re leaving the curve approaching the Deer Park Loop overpass.

Lowering the eastbound speed limit from 55 to 45 mph until Bagley Creek Road would diminish that impulse to accelerate while in the curve.

James Loran,

Port Angeles