BY PAUL MITCHELL

North Country This Week

CANTON -- The denial by the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) to reduce the speed limit from 45 miles per hour to 35 mph from the village limits on Riverside Drive to the intersection of the Sykes Road and County Route 32, known as Pelkey’s Corners, came as no surprise to one town councilman.

“I’m not surprised it got denied. I am surprised how fast the turnaround time was. It usually takes a year,” said James T. Smith.

A request made in August by County Route 27 resident Daniel Dominie was endorsed by the Canton Town Board and forwarded to the St. Lawrence County Department of Highways in September who, in turn, submitted the request to state DOT.

A letter, dated Nov. 4, to Donald Chamber, the county’s superintendent of highways, from Aaron L. Docteur, P.E. regional traffic engineer, spelled out the denial.

“The New York State Department of Transportation has completed the investigation regarding the request for a 35 mph speed limit on a portion of County Road 27 in the Town of Canton. This portion has an existing speed limit of 45 mph. The NYSDOT performed field reviews and conducted laser speed surveys as part of the investigation. In addition, the latest three-year crash history was reviewed and there was consultation with the Traffic Sergeant of the New York State Police. Since the criteria used for the establishment of a further reduced speed zone was not met, your request is respectfully denied,” the letter read.