Speed limit on all Rockwood streets to be reduced to 40km/h
Decision will return to council for final approval
BRUCEDALE – A report will soon be coming to Guelph/Eramosa council, recommending the speed limit on all streets in Rockwood be reduced to 40km/h.
The decision, made during a May 25 committee of the whole meeting, was the result of a 2021 traffic calming report.
On Nov. 17 of that year, staff brought a report to the committee about traffic calming measures. It was based on data collected within Rockwood, Eden Mills and select rural roads in the township.
“The analysis indicated the prevailing speeds (85th percentile) were below the posted speed [limit] in all but two locations in Rockwood,” reads the report.
“On MacLennan Street and Cobblestone Place the prevailing speed exceedance was nominal and generally outside the enforcement range. The prevailing speed on Barden Street and Indian Trail in Eden Mills with a posted 40km/h was over 10km/h above the posted limit.”
Following the initial report in 2021, public works completed a pilot project with speed humps on MacLennan Street and Conservation Road in 2024.
On Monday, public works director Harry Niemi offered three options to the committee:
- post 40km/h limits on select streets, including MacLennan Street, Edgar Bonner Avenue and Drexler Avenue;
- designate 40km/h neighbourhoods, including Mill Run, Parkedge, Lou’s Boulevard and the Bonarrow subdivision; or
- designate the Rockwood urban area 40km/h, which would see the speed limit on all municipally owned residential streets reduced to 40km/h.
After some discussion, the committee voted to bring option three to council, with the condition that a report also be brought to council to reduce the speeds of both Cross Creek Boulevard and Hamilton drive in Ward 2.
This was added following a request from councillor Corey Woods, who stated there is “not a single sidewalk in Ward 2.”
He requested both roads be reduced to 40km/h as families and individuals regularly walk along the road.
The committee approved option three in a 4-1 vote with councillor Bruce Dickieson opposed.
