Traffic changes move forward in Drexel to curb speeding

Drexel drivers will soon see lower speed limits on two roads, and new speed bumps on a residential street, actions town leaders hope will address speeding concerns within town limits.

At the Drexel Board of Aldermen’s meeting Monday evening, Town Manager Bill Carroll brought forward ordinances to reduce speed limits from 35 mph to 25 mph on a section of Settlemyre Road and Mountain View Street.

The speed limit reduction on Settlemyre will occur within Drexel town limits, which is the portion of the road between Park Avenue and Mountain View Drive. The entirety of Mountain View Street will be reduced.

The change came at the request of a Drexel resident, who is an NCDOT employee. Mayor Dennis Anthony, who lives on Settlemyre Road, said the reduction will hopefully address speeding in the area.

“It’s a drag strip down through there,” Anthony said.

The speed limit changes were initiated by NCDOT, so the state will be in charge of getting signage changed on the two roads before the reductions can go into effect, according to Anthony.

Another measure to calm speeding in the town limits is speed bumps on Westwood Drive, which the board has been discussing since its September 2025 meeting. Police Chief Stephen Ritchie surveyed residents along the road and found that 75% supported installing speed bumps, while 25% were opposed.

The road is town-maintained, so the town would be in charge of footing the bill for speed bump installation. The board voted unanimously in favor of installing speed bumps and seeking quotes for two rubber speed bumps, which Carroll said would be easier to install and remove if needed in the future.

Carroll said that two speed bumps would likely be installed, one on each side of the hill on Westwood Drive.

The board also explored a speed bump policy based on one that Carroll created when working for the City of Belmont. However, board member Victoria Taylor suggested slimming the policy down to fit Drexel. No official action to implement a policy will happen until next month at the earliest.

ADDRESSING BRTA INVOLVEMENT IN PARK PROJECT

The board addressed concerns about the Burke River Trail Association’s involvement in improvements to Downtown Drexel Park. Back in June 2025, the board approved the installation of a kiosk in the park, which was designed by the BRTA.

The kiosk will also be joined by a public art installation given to the town by Drexel community member Dan Hoyle. The art installation will include seven stained glass panels that showcase the people who shaped Drexel.

From a mill worker to a prominent pastor, each person is representative of the Drexel community as a whole and will be accompanied by signage designed and donated by the BRTA.

“Of the three people that I’ve talked to about it, I understand the concern and the fear that it will become about the Burke River Trail and not about Drexel,” board member Taylor said.

However, after reviewing elements of the kiosk and the QR code that will be attached, Taylor said the design is very Drexel-centered.

“I think the partnership with Burke River Trail and Grow With Drexel, and all this, is a good thing for Drexel as a whole, in general. With everything that I know about it now, I don’t have a problem where it is because it is so Drexel-centered,” Taylor said.

Other Burke County towns will also be getting kiosks in their downtown areas, with the anticipated installation this spring, as early as March. The town ultimately decides whether the kiosk gets installed at all, but all board members agreed to proceed with the plan they approved last year.

“It needs to stay the Drexel park. I think we all agree on that. That will always be the Drexel park,” board member Scott Coe said.