CENTRE WELLINGTON – Township staff are introducing a pilot program to keep speeding in check.
New signs will soon go up announcing new 40km/h speed limits in the neighbourhood of York Road, Elora. All the streets in the neighbourhood – York Street East between Waterloo and Bridge streets – will soon have speeds of 40km/h.
Council approved the project last year and signs are expected to be installed in the coming weeks.
“A common concern we hear from residents is speeding on residential roads,” stated Mayor Shawn Watters in a press release.
“By decreasing the speed in specific areas identified by our Speed Limit and Traffic Calming review, we can improve roadway safety for all ages, and create liveable and safe neighbourhoods for our residents.”
Township staff developed a Speed Limit Policy and Technical Approach for reviewing speed limits, assessing speeding concerns, and implementing effective speed reduction measures in urban and rural areas.
Part of this process includes reviewing posted speed limits and speeding concerns on an annual basis.
The York Street East neighbourhood was selected by staff and endorsed by council in part by the Speed Limit Policy and concerns brought forward as part of the township’s “Report It” speed concern portal on the website.
The street layout and the number of reported concerns made this area an ideal setting for the pilot program.
Gateway signage has been installed on York Street East to educate residents about the speed reduction, and all signage will be up in May or June.
The intent is for drivers to see the gateway signs and adjust their driving habits before the program comes into effect.
Gateway signs serve as a visual reminder for drivers to adjust their speed before they reach the official speed limit signs. This proactive measure could help reduce accidents and create a safer environment for residents and drivers alike.
“Educating drivers about the new speed limit through signage and giving them time to adjust their driving habits beforehand can help promote compliance and reduce collisions,” stated Sergeant Kevin Driscoll of the Wellington County OPP Traffic Management Unit.
The York Street pilot project represents a continued exploration of methods to improve the well-being and safety of township streets and neighbourhoods.
For more information visit connectcw.ca/40kmpilot.
