Speed hump policy change eases application process, does not guarantee installation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — If you want to get drivers to slow down on your street, the city of Louisville is making one solution easier.

Public Works is changing their policy for the process of requesting speed humps.

It's a pilot program to alter the balloting process. Until recently, the applicant seeking a speed hump would be responsible for gathering signatures from 70% of affected residents.

Rebecca Wells-Gonzalez has run speed hump campaigns in the Taylor Berry neighborhood, and said the process is exhausting.

"That's a ton, that's so many. You have to knock on every door," Wells-Gonzalez said. "You get the signatures, then you apply, and then you have to wait for a speed test. And then they actually have to put it in the budget and then they get a bid. And then they have to wait for the right season to install the speed humps."

This week, Public Works presented some changes to their policy in a Metro Council committee meeting.

Now, if a neighbor files an application, Public Works would send ballots to all affected property owners. If you don't want a speed hump, you must respond to have your opposition registered within 30 days. If 30% of property owners oppose the speed hump, the application will not be approved.

"It's going to be safer and more effective over time to get these approvals through," Wells-Gonzalez said.

Officials behind the change said this will help neighbors wanting to increase safety. Several Metro Councilmembers voiced support in the meeting.

But Councilman Kevin Kramer (R-11) cautions that new policy will only add to the backlog and the number of angry neighbors.

"If you just open the door and make this kind of easy, you're gonna be putting in speed humps all over the place," Kramer said. "There will be a lot of people that don't want speed humps that will have them because they didn't respond in that 30%, and they're gonna be furious that they got speed humps."

The city said that there's no guarantee a speed hump will be installed if there's not enough opposition. Deputy Mayor Nicole George said this new policy is simply another tool that can help in "ensuring safety, reducing speeding, and enhancing quality of life on our streets."

Officials said the cost of one speed hump is about $4,200. There would need to be two installed on one street to be effective, plus the $260 cost per warning sign.

Under Louisville Metro policy, the cost may be shared between the Metro Council District and residents or other "funding sources."