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State likely to lower speed limit on Highway 99 through Talent TALENT -- Speed limits on Highway 99 through Talent probably will be lowered 5 mph at the recommendation of state transportation officials. But a longer-term safety fix for the increasing number of automobile accidents at the intersection of Rapp Road and the highway may be five years away. A state speed investigation into the area resulted in a recommendation to the state traffic engineer that the speed limit be reduced from 45 to 40 beginning at Colver Road and that the limit be reduced from 50 to 45 at Rapp Road. A final decision on the speed limit will be made in the next few weeks. The speed investigation was prompted by the petition drive of Highway 99 resident Nancy Henderson. So far she's turned in 684 signatures to the city and says she's not giving up on a turn lane from West Valley View Road to Rapp Road -- at least until the Oregon Department of Transportation prioritizes its projects in 2001. "I'm going to keep the issue alive until then," she said. ODOT Area Project Manager Monty Grove said his agency will study the problem area and determine the best solution for the type of accidents happening there -- whether it's one or two turn lanes and a traffic signal, or just a signal. Residents and the area committee on transportation will have a chance to voice their opinion as to which projects are funded when the 2004-2005 cycle comes around. A draft program is due out in May. Funds for 2002-2003 have already been committed, he said. Grove said the $250,000 for a traffic signal and $150,000 for one turn lane means the project is probably small enough to be included on the list, especially since the Rapp Road intersection has such a high accident rate. Mayor Marian Telerski was pleased to hear about the speed limit developments, but said she will be pressing to get the intersection back on a list of priority projects for the state. In the meantime, Telerski said she believes people will begin to drive slower as the commercial area develops and people become more aware of the numbers of cars turning in and out of businesses. "Right now it looks like a freeway," she said. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA