Ludlow Safety Committee Files Engine Brake Request, Orders Ventura Street Speed Signs

Safety Committee · Meeting of June 11, 2026

Ludlow Safety Committee declines engine brake ban, orders Ventura Street speed signs, and eyes first town-wide speed study since 1994. Meeting June 11, the committee voted unanimously to file a resident request to prohibit engine braking on Center Street, with members arguing that trucks weighing up to 120,000 pounds depend on engine retarders to navigate the route's steep grades and blind corners. The body also unanimously recommended corrected and additional permanent speed limit signs along Ventura Street after members confirmed that a posted 30 mile per hour sign near Balsam Hill conflicts with the street's 25 mile per hour designation and that the straightaway section carries no permanent limit sign at all; a letter to the Select Board will accompany the recommendation.

A resident request for a speed bump at Oak and Howard streets near Whitney Park was filed on a split vote, with members saying the real problem is stop sign non-compliance rather than speed. During open discussion, members identified the town's only formal speed study as dating to 1994 and said speed limits on Fuller Street, E Street, Center Street, Chapin Street, Miller Street, and Ventura Street may no longer reflect actual traffic conditions.

In the full story:

• Another member put the standard the committee applies directly
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,278 words

Source: the Safety Committee meeting of June 11, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.