Nahant police warn motorists to obey causeway speed limit

NAHANT – The police are warning that the 25 mile-per-hour speed limit on the causeway will be strictly enforced as construction brings workers, state and local police officers, and beach-goers into the roadway.”We really want to get the word out that it is 25 miles per hour on the causeway and – in all caps and underlined – STRICTLY ENFORCED,” said Lieutenant Thomas Hutton. “This is strictly for the safety of construction workers, police officers and people in general? Don’t say we didn’t tell you.”Hutton said that the strict enforcement was attributed to two factors:u First, construction on the four-lane causeway has moved and will be moving into the traffic lanes along with construction workers, and officers from the state Community Action Team and local police officers on detail;u Secondly, the increased beach traffic has brought reports of many crosswalk violations at the bath house.Members of both state and local police will strictly enforce both the speed limit and issue tickets for drivers who fail to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Hutton said the entire causeway is considered a construction site and that a car traveling 35 miles per hour could expect a $200 ticket. The penalty for failing to stop at a crosswalk was a $100 ticket, he added.”It’s not a money-making thing, it’s strictly for public safety,” Hutton said. “We’re not against the public. This is for the public and safety of people on the causeway.Hutton also said that the increased enforcement and warm weather means that the department will be on the lookout for 2011 beach stickers in designated lots and reminded residents to visit Town Hall during business hours to pick up their stickers.