Recent (very recent) speed limit changes on Lee Highway north of Ooltewah seem contradictory and confusing.
The 45 mph speed limit northbound in Ooltewah has been extended (as posted by the state of Tennessee Department of Transportation “TDOT”) from Ooltewah in Hamilton County to just north of Bridgewater Drive in Bradley County.
The 55 mph speed limit southbound (as posted by TDOT) remains at 55 mph from just south of Baugh Springs Road in Bradley County to just north of Edgemond Road in Hamilton County.
This three mile 55 mph southbound section is entirely withing the 4.5 mile 45 mph northbound section.
This is a three mile overlap where the posted speed limit is 45 northbound and 55 southbound, and of course Collegedale police are gleefully writing tickets in both directions.
The public needs to be better served.
Steve Campbell
McDonald, Tn.
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There is conflicting speed limit information near Ooltewah as well. Southbound from Edgemon Road into Ooltewah, it's posted at 45 mph. But going north from Ooltewah, the old 55 mph sign is still present just past the Honors Course (where the highway narrows to two lanes).
Robert Clapp
Collegedale
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I, too, am confused by the conflicting new speed limit signs on Lee Highway between Ooltewah and the Bradley County line. This morning there was a new 45 mph sign posted on the southbound side of Lee Highway in Hamilton County about ½ mile from the Hamilton County/Bradley County line. The speed limit in this area on the northbound side of Lee Highway is still unknown.
Oh, and this afternoon a Collegedale police car had a vehicle pulled over on the southbound side of Lee Highway just prior to the new 45 mph sign. This confusion is working in the CPD’s favor.
Lynn Hager
McDonald, Tn.
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The speed limit changes on SR 2 (US11) in Ooltewah were set up by the city of Collegedale and were not set up by TDOT. After the confusing signs were placed I called TDOT and asked them about the signage. They were unaware of the signs being placed.
The signs are very confusing and that works in the favor of the Collegedale police force for sure. It’s all about greed.
Nancy Williams