Rutland Selectboard Pushes Ahead on Route 4 Speeding Concerns

Aug 06, 2025

At its July 29, 2025 meeting, the Rutland Selectboard took a deep dive into a pressing road‑safety issue: frequent speeding along U.S. Route 4, especially through the business route area known locally as Town Line Road. The corridor, long a key east–west Vermont route, has seen a surge in traffic—much of it routed by navigation apps like Google Maps—stirring concern among residents about safety and speed enforcement.

Residents Call Out Speeding Trouble Along Town Line Road

Local homeowners shared troubling observations: drivers barreling through at high rates of speed, often late at night or early morning, creating both a safety hazard and a community disturbance. Many noted that navigation apps now frequently direct tourists and delivery traffic through Town Line Road as a “shortcut,” increasing both volume and risk.

Law Enforcement Faces Practical Challenges

Rutland County deputies confirmed awareness of the issue, but said actively monitoring the route presents challenges. "We patrol the area regularly," a sheriff representative noted, "but finding safe, stationary spots for speed enforcement has been difficult." Mobile patrols serve as a partial solution, yet aren’t always sufficient for full coverage.

Selectboard Seeks State Support With Traffic Study

In response, the board shared that VTrans has received a formal request from the town for a speed study on the affected stretch of Route 4. The May 20 Selectboard minutes indicate VTrans replied that the study is scheduled to move forward, with a meeting expected in September 2025 to review findings and potential recommendations rutlandtown.com+1.

Town leaders emphasize that the state study could lead to meaningful changes—such as reduced limits, traffic calming measures, or improved signage—to slow traffic and improve safety. As one board member commented: “We’re hopeful the study will bring real solutions.”

Community Programs Get a Nod Too

Though traffic was the main agenda point, the meeting also highlighted community engagement efforts—especially the positive response to local swimming programs. Board members stressed that maintaining active, neighborhood-based recreation is critical to Rutland’s quality of life.

Looking Ahead: Budget Talks to Reflect Safety Priorities

With town budget planning on the horizon, traffic safety is set to be a major factor in upcoming discussions. Whether plans include funding for signage upgrades, police equipment, or partnering with regional planning authorities, the board has signaled that safety investments will be central to their fiscal priorities.

Context & Takeaways

US Route 4 in Vermont spans about 66 miles, stretching from Fair Haven through Rutland toward the New Hampshire border Wikipedia.
In February 2025, the Mendon Selectboard, working with Rutland Town representatives, began coordinating on reducing a section of Route 4's speed limit from 45 mph to 40 mph, citing state crash data as justification Rutland Regional Planning Commission+3rutlandtown.com+3rutlandtown.com+3.
The May update confirms VTrans is proceeding with a formal traffic‑speed study, with outcomes expected in the fall rutlandtown.com+1.
Meanwhile, Rutland City is reviewing safety at major intersections along Routes 4 and 7 through a scoping study initiated in early 2025 rutlandtown.com+5Rutland Regional Planning Commission+5vermontpublic.org+5.

Why It Matters for Rutland Residents

For locals, speed and volume on Route 4 aren’t just abstract concerns—they affect daily life: safety while walking or biking, noise levels, and the character of residential roads. The board’s action demonstrates responsiveness—and a willingness to elevate local concerns directly to state planners.

For the upcoming September VTrans session, town residents and officials will have an opportunity to highlight specific trouble zones—like Town Line Road—and propose mitigating measures, whether adjusted limits, rumble strips, or better signage. The state’s input may shape both short‑term fixes and long‑range infrastructure planning.