Minto council has approved lowering the speed limit, from 80 to 60km/h, on Pike Lake Road from Highway 89 to the 12th Line of Minto, and on the 12th Line from Pike Lake Road to Wellington Road 6.
Road foreman Mike McIsaac told council on July 3 staff received inquiries regarding the speed of vehicular traffic and public and pedestrian safety in the area due to increasing traffic from the commercial and passenger vehicles generated from the local businesses, including Pike Lake Golf Centre and the Murray Group aggregate pit.
“In 2011, daily traffic on that road was 300 vehicles per day. Now we’re looking at 800 to 900,” McIsaac explained.
“Although traffic studies do not indicate speeding infractions or a history of collision reports at the current speed limit of 80km/h in this area, the reduced speed limit will help to maximize general safety with the growing users of the area,” McIsaac states in a report.
McIsaac said an alternative to lowering the speed limit would be a major road reconstruction project in the area. He also noted there are now more access points to the roadway than a few years ago.
“Our liability has definitely increased over the last number of years here,” he stated.
In February Mayor George Bridge, CAO Bill White and public works staff met with the quarry owners along the 12th Line to discuss road maintenance and traffic issues.
“They were willing to meet further on road reconstruction when design information is available,” the report indicates. However, in the spring the town received a petition from area residents concerned about potholes and road damage caused mainly by heavy truck traffic, the report states.
“Public Works completed some hot mix patches that will hold for the time being, but reducing speed and directing more truck traffic to County Road 6 as soon as possible helps reduce wear and tear on the road,” the report states.
Council received the report and passed a bylaw approving the lower speed limit.
