The question might be “if you build it – will they speed?”
From a local resident standpoint – it seems the answer is ‘yes’.
As a result on Jan. 24 Centre Wellington councillors approved lowering the speed limit in the area of the 8th Line bridge at Wilsons Flats.
The move followed a report by Public Works Director Ken Elder at the Jan. 17 committee of the whole.
Elder recommended that the speed limit on the 8th Line of the former municipality of Pilkington be lowered to a speed limit of 60 km/hr, from 610 metres south of the Centre Line of Wellington Road 21 to 760 metres north of the Centre Line of Wellington Road 21.
“We’ve opened the Wilson Flats bridge. It was closed for about 8 years.”
The people south of County Road 21 have concerns with speeding.
“We said we would look at it.”
He told councillors that to increase driver safety, a lower speed limit should allow drivers greater reaction times to avoid potential traffic collisions, in the area of the new bridge.
Elder noted the area is a fairly popular spot for fishermen, hikers, bird watchers, canoeists and such.
He noted part of the bridge upgrade included a parking lot, to provide safe parking for people involved in those activities.
Elder anticipated that a lower speed limit would provide increased reaction time to pedestrians that continue to recreate in the area of the bridge.
“Our thinking south of County Road 21 coming up to the stop sign – they should be slowing down regardless. If they are turning or coming past the stop sign they shouldn’t be flooring it before they reach the houses.
He added that area residents have expressed apprehension over the speed and the amount of traffic in the area, months prior to the bridge opening.
“We’re proposing a 60km/hr speed limit in the area.”
Councillor Kirk McElwain, noted that he’d distributed a letter he’d received from area residents.
His asked if there was any thought of installing a no engine brake sign at the same time.
He said many of the concerns include truck traffic now that the road has reopened.
One resident had already installed a noise fence.
Council agreed to lowering the speed limit.
