New speed limit along stretch of Lafayette Street

Sturgis municipal officials have announced a segment of Lafayette Street, between North Lakeview and North Franks avenues, has a new speed limit.

City Commission members this week approved a recommendation to adjust the maximum speed limit on the one-mile stretch between the eastern border of Wall Elementary School and the new roundabout next to Spence Softball Complex.

The new speed limit will be 45 miles per hour when school is not in session. It will remain 25 when school is in session. Speed limit signs currently along the street only denote the 25-miles per hour notice.

Residential concerns about off-road vehicles and speeders using the street had been voiced, with a request made for making the speed limit 25 mph on the entire stretch.

Until recently, East Lafayette Street was a 55 mph county road commission segment, from which the city took over jurisdiction last year. The addition of the roundabout and jurisdictional change made it necessary for the city to set a reasonable speed for the stretch of roadway, Sturgis officials said.