The Chelsea City Council unanimously approved a resolution of support for Michigan House Bill 5730, which if adopted by the state representatives would “allow local authorities and county road commissions to prohibit the use of compression brakes on those portions of state trunk line highways that fall within their limits and that lie within 200 yards of an area where the posted speed limit is 35 m.p.h.”
“The concept is allowing cities to have some say in allowing or not allowing compression brakes,” said Council Member Melissa Johnson, who said the bill was brought to her attention by the Washtenaw Area Transportation Study (WATS).
If adopted by the state, this would encompass M-52 through downtown, and allow the city to monitor and/or regulate truck traffic, once signs have been purchased and erected.
According to a legislative analysis, if adopted by the state, “A person who violated an ordinance or resolution prohibiting the use of compression brakes would be responsible for a civil infraction.”
In addition, according to the summary, “the costs of erecting signs would be borne equally by the local agency and the Michigan Department of Transportation.”
Currently, officials said, the bill has been introduced, but no action has been taken on it by state legislators.
