Drivers on Waldron Road may find they can now reach their destinations a little more quickly, thanks to an increase in the speed limit.  The speed limit was changed to 45 mph between Industrial Blvd. and Murfreesboro Rd. on Friday, February 22, 2013. The problem is, the police department was not made aware of the change until February 25, 2013. Therefore, some citations may come into question. 

Originally, WGNS was told via a press release that LaVergne changed the speed limit in September. We were later informed that the press release from the city was incorrect and the change took place in February, days before the police department was informed about the change.

After years of construction in a project to widen the road, the city anticipates only two more months of work until it is complete.  The final push will be in putting the last layer of asphalt down and striping the lanes.

“We didn’t expect the speed limits to change until the project was completed, but the state and/or contractor made the change late last week without notifying us,” said Bruce Richardson, Interim City Administrator.  “We hope they can finish the remainder of the project as quickly as possible.”

The La Vergne Police Department was not made aware of the speed limit change until Monday, February 25.  “Once a citation is issued, no one can legally interfere with the process,” said Police Chief Mike Walker.  “If citizens question any citations issued by the police, they are urged to appear during the court date stated on the ticket. According to state law, the municipal judge is the only one who can dismiss a ticket, even though it may have been issued in error. According to an email we received Monday afternoon from LoJac, the speed limit signs were changed last Friday afternoon, unbeknown to us.”

The Waldron Road widening project is being managed by the Tennessee Department of Transportation and LoJac, Inc. is the contractor responsible for the construction work.

Source: 

Kathy Tyson,
City of La Vergne Public Information Officer