Speed limit through Bridgewater College campus is lowered

The Town Council of Bridgewater, Virginia, has voted to reduce the speed limit on Dinkel Avenue, which runs through the center of Bridgewater College.

The speed was reduced from 35 to 29 miles per hour in an effort to improve safety around the campus. The town council’s decision came on the heels of a request from a group of Bridgewater College students who petitioned the city for the change.

Dinkel Avenue is the main road running through Bridgewater College. That means hundreds of Bridgewater students, faculty, and staff cross the road every day. The 6 mile per hour speed limit reduction is meant to protect pedestrians from those driving too fast through the campus.

Bridgewater College Chief of Police Nicholas Picerno was at the council meeting to advocate for a lowered speed limits.

“The safety of our students and others in the community is of utmost importance to us,” Picerno said. “By reducing the speed limit through campus, we hope to reduce the risk to pedestrians and drivers.”

Bridgewater College President David Bushman said college officials were glad to work alongside the city to make the change.

“The town of Bridgewater and the college have enjoyed a long, healthy partnership,” Bushman said. “The college fully supports and is grateful for the town’s decision to lower the speed limit. This is just the next step in us working together to better the quality of life for those who live here and those who study at the college.”