Richard Froese
South Peace News
Speed limits on three stretches of roads in Big Lakes County will soon be reduced to make it safer for traffic and pedestrians.
At its regular meeting May 14, council gave final two readings to amend the speeding limit bylaw 05-2011 after a quiet public hearing.
“No written comments for or against this bylaw amendment have been received from the public,” said Ben Letemplier, director of public works.
The speed limit will be reduced to 30 km/hr on Township Rd 740 beginning at Range Rd. 104 (Spruce Point Park Road) and continuing westerly about 990 metres to the end of municipal roadway at Northwest Section 32, Township 73, Range 10, West of the Fifth Meridian.
“Additionally, in our review of work to be completed in this year’s bridge maintenance contract, it was noted that a few locations should have the speed limit reduced at the bridge crossings due to the road being much narrower than the bridge structures or the steep sideslopes near the bridge structure,” Letemplier said.
“In these specific instances, guardrail installation is not recommended, therefore the speed should be reduced for safety at least until the structures are replaced in the future.”
Two other areas will be reduced to 50 km/hr.
One includes Range Rd. 153 (Swamp Rd.) beginning at about 3.16 km north of Township Rd 752A and 200 metres south of the Bridge File 81343 structure at Northwest Section 27, Township 75, Range 15, West of the Fifth Meridian and continuing north for about 1.96 km to 200 metres north of the Bridge File 13100 structure at Northwest Section 34, Township 75, Range 15, West of the Fifth Meridian.
“If the speed is not reduced at the bridge structures, then the County should consider much more extensive road repairs to widen the roads in the vicinity bridges so that guardrails can be installed,” Letemplier says. “This work would be costly and the benefits limited, especially on Range Rd. 153 (Swamp Road) where there is low volume traffic.”
Cost to post the new speed limits is estimated at $2,500, he notes.