Lakeshore Advance, 2011-10-12, Page 3.4
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 • Lakeshore Advance 3
COUNCIL
Port Franks speed flmIt Issues resolved in a compromise, some residents not Impressed
Lynda HINman-Rapley
Lakeshore Advance
The Port Franks speed limits came
'lick to council last week with a compro-
ise of resolutions. They have decided it
is best to go back to the original speed
limits for two segments and keep the
other one as status quo. Some Port
Franks residents thought this council,
except for the deputy mayor did them a
disservice.
'Ibis issue first arose in the summer of
2009. A report went to council recom-
mending that speed limits be reduced by
lOkm/hr in each of the three speed limit
segments that make up the main trans-
portation corridor through Port Franks.
At that time a number of public com-
plaints had been received about vehicu-
lar traffic in those areas. Staff review of
the situation noted concerns about the
safety of pedestrians and cyclists
amongst the vehicular traffic. 'technical
data was not provided as part of that
report. 'Ihe rationale for the change was
a desire by staff to resolve the complaints
through a cost effective action and
improve safety.
Council supported this report and a
bylaw was passed to reduce the speed
limit in each segment by 10km/hr. Com-
munity Services Staff male the neces-
sity arrangements to
install signage with the new limits
throughout the area shortly afterwards.
'Ihe changes were:
Segment 1 reduced from 60knl/hr to
50km/hr, Segment 2 reduced from
50km/hr to 40km/hr. and Segment 3
reduced from 80kn1/hr to 70km/hr.
This change generated opposition
from local residents who felt that the
change was unnecessary. In response to
the public concerns another report was
presented to council in October 2010.
'Ihis report provided further information
regarding technical specifications
including the geometric properties and
sight lines of the subject roads. The
report highlighted specific areas of con-
cern lacking sight distance in the urban
'4Okm/hr' zone. Resolution on the mat-
ter was deferred pending a legal opinion
• the matter.
1 hen, in March 2011 another report
was brought before council outlining a
legal opinion on the matter. The legal
opinion presented a number of possibil-
ities relating to liability resulting from
potential changes. The opinion stated
that the original decision should have
been based more on a more objective
approach. Now that the change has been
made it would he more prudent to look
at infrastructure impmvements in order
to maintain a level of confidence about
safety if the decision was made to restore
the original limits. Again the matter was
deferred pending further information.
Peg? Van Mierlo West said there is a
lot of debate on whether lowering speed
limits is an effective method to improve
safety. "Unfortunately for the Munidpal-
ity it is one of the few methods available
that has a low cost of implementation."
After receiving safety com-
plaints it was deemed neces-
sary to respond in sotne way
in order to address the situa-
tion. Staff review at that time
determined that the lower
limits were the best way to
address the complaints. Due
to the concerns of the public
and council the issue has
remained without resolution.
Three options came to the
table at the October 4 council
meeting.
Options:
Maintain Current Status
'Ibis option would propose
to maintain the current posted
limits throughout the subject
roadways. Benefits of this
option are no costs. This
option also encourages active
and healthy living by slaking
pedestrian and cyclist access
safer,
Cost: None.
Restore Previous lin tits and
install Pedestrian Signage
This option would be
restoring the previous speed
limits while adding signage
that would provide warnings
to motorists that they are in a
community area anti should
be cautious of pedestrian and
cyclist traffic. This 01)11011 is
fairly cost effective as placing
signage is not an extravagant
expense. Benefits of this
option are the satisfaction of
public concerns and relatively
low cost. 'this option is not the
most safety positive solution.
Cost: $2500.00 to replace
the existing limit signage to
the previous limits
$2500.00 to install new
Pedestrian Safety signs
Maintain Current Status
until Road Upgrades are
Complete
This option would propose
to maintain the current posted
limits but also commit to the
construction of upgrades to
improve the level of safety
throughout the corridor. Cost
estimates for this option will
vary depending on the scope
of upgrades. Road upgrades
would include widening of
the road surface through the
urban corridor with an objec-
tive of providing an improved
dedicated pedestrian and
cyclist pathway. Also creation
of pathways through the
'Rural' Portions of the corri-
dor would be an option. The
benefits of this option are the
most positive safety solution.
This option also encourages
healthy and active living as
well as an opportunity to
include street scoping and
community improvements
through the core. This option
however is the most cost pro-
hibitive and time consuming
from inception to
completion.
Cost: Street widening anti
pedestrian improvements
$150,00( to $5tx),(XX). Installa-
tion of rural pathways
$350,000 (3.7km).
Also....
In the summer months
Community Services staff
sought to obtain more infor-
mation about the existing
conditions throughout the
subject area. Traffic counts
and vehicular speeds were
obtained at four different
locations in the subject area.
Annual Average Daily
Traffic:
Measured speed levels at
the Mud Creek and
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Erie/Riverside locations are both
approximately where they would be
expected based on the limits. 'Ihe loca-
tions on Outer Drive and the Comtnu-
nity Centre are well above the posted
limit.'lhese measurements provide evi-
dence that the existing geometry of the
road, particularly through the center
portion, has geometric properties to
limit motorist's speeds. The remaining
areas appear to allow motorists to travel
at higher speeds.
Councilor John Russell made a motion
for one and three to be put back to their
original speed limits and two stay as is. It
was also agreed that signage will go up
and the "deaf child sign" that was erected
many years ago will conte down.
From a resident
In a letter to council after the meet-
ing, Karen Simon said, "The deed is
done. 'Ihe council- true to form avoided
having any backbone to snake a sensi-
ble 'decision: Obviously having colabo-
rated before the meeting, they decided
to dazzle us with 'compromise' The
arrogance of this council to think that
this 'compromise' makes any sense is
unbelievable. Councillors Russell and
Scott introduced their idea of compro-
mise. They suggested that the speed
limit in section 1 and 3 be raised by
10km. The existing 40 km speed limit to
remain the same. The other councillors
Jumped on this as a wonderful
'compromiser
"The only councillor with any com-
mon sense Elizabeth Davis-Dagg tried
to reason with council. She stated there
has only been one accident in the last
five years. Council's own legal advice
stated there was no basis for such a
reduction- so the speed limit should
not have been changed in the first
place. She said this will also set a prec-
edence for other communities to
request these limits. (Ed Note-Davis-
Dagg was informed most of the other
communities already have the 40 limit).
Our representative Councillor Scott
avoided contact with us in the months
prior to this sleeting. She never
returned our calls or made any attempt
to meet with us. Apparantly a few pro -
40 km people met with her by ringing
her doorbell. I guess that is the only way
to have a meeting with her. We thought
it was the job of a councillor to return
calls, have an open mind, and meet
with people to discuss their concerns.
Councillor Scott failed miserably in
all of the above"
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