Roadblocks remain to lower speed limits on city streets

After a decade of lobbying the province to help slow traffic on residential streets to 40 km/h, the City of Ottawa finally has the green light to make it happen.

The high cost of implementing the change, however, could prove to be a roadblock.

A provincial lawthat took effect this spring gives cities the power to lower speeds for entire neighbourhoods by posting so-called "gateway" signs where motorists enter and exitcommunities.

• Lower residential speed limit considered by Ontario government

Previously, signs for speed limits lower than the default of 50 km/h had to be posted every 300 metres, on every street.

That placed an enormous burden on residents, whowere required to petition for lower speed limits on their streets. Community association volunteers in Hintonburg, for example, spent more than a year canvassing nearly 1,300 homes to collect enough signatures for the signs.

Developers typically paid for the lower speed limit signs in new communities.

Eliminating petitions

A proposed bylaw to be discussed Wednesday by the city's transportation committee would do away with the petition requirement.

KitchissippiCoun. Jeff Leipersaid that should come as a relief to other community groups in his ward, which watched the situation in Hintonburgwith trepidation.

But it's not exactly full speed ahead: the city has earmarked just $50,000 annually for the gateway signs. That's only enough for each councillor to select a singleneighbourhood ayearfor the reduced speed limit.

The city estimates dropping speeds to 40 km/h, or 30 km/h in neighbourhoods with particularly narrow streets, will cost a grand total of $1.58 million. At the current rate, it would take 31 years to post gateway signs in every community.

• New 30 km/h speed limit approved by council

"But that could probably be accelerated fairly quickly if council were on board," Leiper said. Accelerating annual funding will be up to the newly elected council, he said.

Leipernotedspeed limits go only so far to slowing drivers.Just as important, he said, are changes to he design of a streetso drivers are forced to slow down, such asinstalling flexible sticks in the middle of the road.