“Slow down before somebody’s killed!” Residents put up own signs along dangerous highway

Originally published Sept. 6, 2024

HARRISON COUNTY, Ohio – Residents in one Harrison County town are taking their concerns over a potentially dangerous traffic situation to the streets by putting up their own warning signs.

There are two hand-painted signs along U.S. Route 250 in Georgetown in Short Creek Township warning truck drivers to slow down before someone gets killed.

Georgetown sits at the bottom of two hills along U.S. 250 and there are some sharp curves along the roadway. Navigating this stretch of highway can be difficult and speeding increases the chances for an accident.

The speed limit through Georgetown in 35 miles per hour.

River News Network contacted the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Highway Patrol St. Clairsville Post about the speed limit. The sheriff’s office referred us to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). The Ohio Highway Patrol did not respond.

Lauren Borell, Public Information Officer for ODOT District 11 tells River News Network that ODOT is aware of the speeding issue and will add additional speed limit and curve warning signs along the highway.

ODOT is aware of the concerns regarding the speed limit not being followed along this section of U.S. Route 250. ODOT will be installing additional speed limit signage to indicate the speed zone more clearly.

Additionally, we will evaluate the curve warning signage to ensure that it effectively delineates the curves through this section of roadway.

Lauren Borell, Public Information Officer for ODOT District 11

Borell adds that the Ohio State Highway Patrol has also been informed of the residents’ concerns through this section of U.S. Route 250.