Grosse Ile Police Chief Squashes Speed Limit Rumor

In the last few years, rumors have circulated the island regarding whether the 35 mph speed limit on Meridian was, in fact, 35 mph.

“I heard they changed it to 40 (mph), but that the city didn’t want to pay for the signs to be replaced,” a resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said.

But Grosse Ile Police Chief Joseph Porcarelli said Monday that this was not the case.

“The reality is we give some leeway, so when we set the speed limit at 35 mph we know that (a good percentage) are probably doing over that limit,” the chief said. 

There is a formula that determines safe speeds, Porcarelli said. "This is the speed at or below in which 85 percent of traffic moves.”  

Several years ago, a Wayne County traffic study determined that 85 percent of islanders were traveling at a speed of 40 mph on main roads.  

Based on this information, the city authorized a traffic control order of 35 mph.

As for the rumor, Porcarelli said, "that would justify it." 

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