MILLBURY — After studying speed zone patterns on Ohio 51, the Ohio Department of Transportation is
recommending several changes on the Lake Township part of the road.
In a letter to the Lake Township Trustees dated Aug. 31, ODOT said it will lower the speed limit from
Pemberville to Fostoria roads from 55 mph to 50 mph.
It will also install “intersection ahead” signs before Pemberville, Walbridge, Fostoria and Bradner
roads. Double yellow lines, signalling a no-passing zone, will be painted from Millbury to Cason Street.

The trustees in June passed a resolution asking for a 35 mph speed limit on that stretch of road, after
ODOT rejected their request for a stop light at Route 51 and Millbury Road.
On Friday, Trustee Richard Welling said he wanted a lower speed limit, but is pleased some changes will
be made.
“I would have preferred 45 (mph). That would have been a fair speed limit,” he said. “It’s better than
nothing. It’s a step in the right direction.”
The trustees will continue to ask for a traffic light in the area, but won’t put in for another request
until probably next year, Welling said.
The process for change on Route 51 started earlier this year after one fatal and one serious accident
occurred in the township.
The trustees asked for a light, but were turned down by ODOT.
“We won’t give up on that. We’ll continue to pursue the traffic light,” Welling said.
Over the last five years Lake Township police have handled 49 accidents and the Ohio Highway Patrol has
responded to 80 for a total of 129 crashes, he said.
“That’s pretty high.”
ODOT’s letter said the speed zone study reviews the characteristics of the road, including highway
development (businesses and houses), crash history, roadway features (lane width, shoulder width,
roadway geometry), and the speed at which the vehicles are currently traveling on the segment of the
road.
Michael Stormer, district planning engineer, also wrote that ODOT took the extra step of reviewing crash
patterns at the intersections and no-passing markings along Route 51.