Jim Thorpe Borough Council unanimously voted on Thursday night to greenlight a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation traffic study on Coal Street, extending from Lentz Trail to Center Avenue. The move comes as borough officials explore the possibility of reducing the current speed limit in the area.

“Resident Mike Butrie has been working with the police chief in taking a look at reducing the speed limit in Hacklebernie,” Mayor Mike Sofranko said in support of the initiative. “Any way we can slow down traffic in Hacklebernie would be fantastic.”

Currently, the speed limit on this roadway is set at 40mph, a figure that drew scrutiny Thursday.

Jim Thorpe Police Chief Joe Schatz weighed in on the issue, stating, “I never really thought too much about it until Mr. Butrie approached the mayor about it, but I do believe 40 is a pretty high speed for that small stretch of road. PennDOT requires council to submit a letter requesting a speed study. The borough would have to state in the letter that it would accept responsibility for purchasing and maintaining the speed limit signs if the study recommends a lower speed limit.”

PennDOT will conduct the study, which will consider various factors, including the average 85th percentile speed or the safe-running speed on the road, stopping sight distance, corner sight distance, crash rate, and crash severity. If the study indicates a safety risk, the speed limit may be reduced by up to 10 miles per hour below the average 85th percentile speed or the safe-running speed.

Butrie, who lives on Coal Street, has been advocating for the change.

“The speed limit was changed from 25 mph to 40 mph in 1992, and from everyone I talked to, nobody understands why it was increased,” he said. “It is terrible trying to get out of your driveway, especially on the weekends. A lot of out-of-towners come flying down around that hill.”

Borough officials said the ultimate goal is to enhance safety for all road users in the area.

“I was kind of surprised when I found out it was 40 mph there,” Council President Greg Strubinger said.