Tryon approves request from DOT

Tryon Town Council approved an ordinance on Dec. 20 to reduce the speed limit around Tryon Elementary School from 35 to 25 mph.

Tryon Police Chief Jeff Arrowood said the lowering of the speed limit was requested following complaints about excessive speed in the area.

The N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT) sent Tryon a declaration to be signed. The speed limit change will occur once DOT approves the declaration and ordinance and erects signs in the area.

The change will occur from Hwy. 108 northward to a point 0.02 miles north of Hwy. 108 (Tryon Elementary School zone), or from School Street to around Rector Street along U.S. 176 South. The change will affect both the front and back entrances to the school.

The new speed limit will be in effect 30 minutes prior to the beginning of school and 30 minutes after school ends during school days only, according to the ordinance.

The school speed zone was not the only mention of excessive speed in Tryon during the town council meeting.

Councilman Roy Miller said Tryon has to address speeding on Trade Street downtown. He said he recently witnessed a car going through downtown at 40 mph.

“Somebody is going to get killed,” Miller said.

The speed limit in the downtown area is 20 mph and increases to 35 mph near the town hall.