The speed limit reduction for Lindberg Avenue and 33rd Street in Salisbury Township is on hold.

Ordinances were tabled pending clarification of state law.

The vote to table the ordinances was 5 - 0 on a motion by Commissioner Robert Martucci, Jr. and was seconded by Commissioner Joanne Ackerman.

The vote followed questions raised by Salisbury Township Solicitor Atty. John W. Ashley.

Ashley said The Pennsylvania Code, a publication of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, states a traffic study and an engineering study must be done before an ordinance is voted on to lower a speed limit.

"The Pennsylvania Code has requirements for you to lower the speed limit," Ashley said.

A traffic study was done for Lindberg Avenue. An engineering study was not done for Lindberg Avenue.

There was not a traffic study or engineering study done for 33rd Street.

There are two different speed limits posted for 33rd Street: 35 mph and 25 mph, between West Emmaus Avenue and Lehigh Street.

The ordinances propose a speed limit of 25 mph for Lindberg Avenue and 33rd Street.

Ashley said, according to the traffic study for Lindberg Avenue, 85 percent of vehicles are traveling at 6 mph below the 35 mph speed limit.

"People are going for the most part under 35 mph," Ashley said.

"I have a difficult time seeing a need for a change when it doesn't fall within the criteria," Ashley said.

"I know they're speeding there," Ackerman countered.

"You just want to make it consistent," Commissioner Vice President Debra Brinton said of 33rd Street. "And Lindberg is past the park."

Salisbury Township Manager Randy Soriano said he doesn't think an engineering study for Lindberg Avenue is necessary because the street is in a residential area where the speed limit default is 25 mph. Therefore, the ordinance would not really be lowering the speed limit, he reasoned.

Ashley cited 33.63 of the state code, which states the need for a traffic study and an engineering study to lower a speed limit.

Soriano cited 33.62 of the code, stating, he said, the speed limit is 25 mph in a residential district if the street is not a state route or if it is classified as a local highway.

"We're not really changing that. It probably is 25 mph," Soriano said of Lindberg Avenue. "Lindberg is a residential street."

"If this is a residential district then it can go to 25," said Ashley.

"I agree. It's a local highway," Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen W. Stiles said of Lindberg.

"Who would do the engineering study?" Martucci asked.

Salisbury Township Consulting Engineer David J. Tettemer said the firm he represents, Keystone Consulting Engineers, Inc., would do the study.

"We're going to use what he has," Tettemer said, referring to Stiles' traffic study.

"So, why does PennDOT have to approve it at all?" Brinton asked.

"I think you can send a letter to PennDOT," Soriano said.

Commissioner President James A. Brown recommended the ordinances be tabled pending receipt of more information from PennDOT, Ashley and, if needed, Tettemer.

"If PennDOT says you don't have to do it, [an engineering study],' then you can pass the ordinance," Soriano said.

Soriano noted Salisbury has received a $215,939 PennDOT grant for bicycle lanes and sidewalks along Lindberg Avenue, from 24th Street to Flexer Avenue.

This is part of the Lindberg Park Master Plan.

"The [Salisbury Township] Recreation Commission is in favor of lowering the speed limit [on Lindberg Avenue]," Soriano said.

"No doubt the 25 mph speed limit will enhance that [the Lindberg Park Master Plan] and might even be required," Soriano said.