RICHMOND — State police have agreed to monitor speeding on Swamp Road, a popular shortcut for motorists traveling between Pittsfield's Barker Road and the center of West Stockbridge.

The commitment for increased surveillance came in a letter from Sgt. George W. Hamilton of the state police barracks in Lee, which covers Richmond, since the town does not have its own police department.

Hamilton's response came after Select Board Chairman Roger Manzolini asked that state police help to curb chronic speeding on the scenic 5-mile country road, dubbed the “Richmond Speedway” by some.

“I assure you all that we will make a sincere effort to enforce the excess speeds of motorists traveling Swamp Road,” Hamilton wrote, adding that state troopers have been alerted to the concerns expressed by town leaders at a recent Richmond Select Board meeting.

Speed limit signs can be spotted roughly every mile — 40 mph between downtown West Stockbridge and the blinking signal at Lenox Mountain Road, and 45 mph north from that intersection to the Pittsfield city line, where it becomes Barker Road, passing the Pittsfield Municipal Airport.

Several signals are electronic, clocking actual speeds above the limit.

On Tuesday, a light-traffic holiday with a surprise snow squall, several motorists were seen exceeding the limit around midday.

Manzolini noted that a local resident had a recent close call entering Swamp Road, narrowly avoiding a vehicle speeding at an estimated 70 mph.

The town has portable radar “speed trailer” warning signs that can be deployed to alert drivers to the posted speed limit on the road, Town Administrator Danielle Fillio pointed out.

Selectman Neal Pilson made the initial proposal to request help from the state police, pinpointing the Swamp Road straightaway between Lenox Mountain Road, March Hare Road and Sleepy Hollow Road.

Pilson noted that he frequently travels on that road, keeping to the 45 mph speed limit.

“Cars pile up behind me, which tells me they’re going well over 50,” he said. Pilson also offered anecdotal evidence of motorcycles “whining out along that short stretch, doing 70 or 80 just for the thrill of it.”

He also voiced the belief that most speeders on town roads are not Richmond residents.

“I would agree with that statement,” said Department of Public Works Superintendent Pete Beckwith.

“However, they’re probably residents of Berkshire County," Manzolini said.

Richmond leaders made a similar appeal to the state police in August 2022, when Manzolini referred to Swamp Road as "a regular racetrack at times."

The state police unit based in Lee patrols 16 towns — seven of them with part-time police forces or none at all, such as Richmond.