Ask and you shall receive — speed limit signs

When Jim Korver looked across the across from his Seventh Street home, he was greeted with what for him was a glorious sight: A speed-limit sign. And even better, it was joined by two orange flags to draw attention to it.

"I'm still grinning," he said Wednesday.

Korver, who recently took his concerns to the City Council about speeding drivers on the street, was pleased the city responded with a pair of 25-signs between Harrison and Locust avenues, as well as a pedestrian sign.

"I'll thank Todd Friday when I see him," Korver said of Todd Feusier, director of the city's Streets and Engineering Department.

Feusier said they don't typically post speed-limit signs on residential streets, but they wanted to respond to the request quickly. As well, he said Mayor Woody McEvers had asked the city do what it could.

He said he still plans to review the situation, visit Seventh Street and meet with Korver to see if more can be done. Stop signs would require traffic studies.

"We got to it right away," Feusier said.

The city's police also responded with patrols in the area and Wednesday afternoon, an officer pulled over a driver near Harrison and Seventh.

While it’s a 25-mph street, Korver guesses the average speed of most vehicles traveling on Seventh between Harrison and Locust avenues is about 40 mph. 

“It’s a straight shot. They don’t have to slow down for anything,” Korver said. “I’m not going to put up with that. I can’t. It's too important to me.” 

With no speed limit or stop signs, and no crosswalks, Korver worries the situation will only get worse unless the city steps in. 

Until that happens, when any of his 36 grandkids visit, he won't let them play in the front yard for fear they might forget his warnings and chase a ball into the street.

“I can’t let them be out there,” Korver said. “I can’t take the chance."

Coeur d’Alene Police Capt. Dave Hagar said when they receive reports of frequent speeders on a certain street, they do their best to have patrol cars visit that area and have a stronger presence.