The speed limit along a section of MR80 in Valley East could be reduced, if a staff recommendation is approved by the city's operations committee.
A review of the speed limit was prompted by a petition signed by 37 people who wanted speeds along the busy roadway reduced to 60 km/h from 80 km/h in the area from Yorkshire Drive to Dominion Drive.
“In this area, MR80 has an average annual daily traffic volume of approximately 15,500,” a staff report says. “The speed limit on MR80 is 80 km/h from approximately 60 metres south of Yorkshire Drive to St. Mary Boulevard and is 60 km/h from St. Mary Boulevard to the Hanmer Mall.”
A speed study in that area of MR80 was conducted in June 200 metres north of Yorkshire Drive and recorded the speeds of more than 31,000 vehicles. The average speed recorded was 82 km/h.
According to guidelines the city uses to determine speed limits for municipal roadways, the speed limit for that area should be 70 km/h.
“In order to simplify the bylaw and reuse the existing sign locations, it is recommended that the 60 km/h speed zone be extended north to Yorkshire Drive and the 70 km/h speed zone begin at Yorkshire Drive and continue to St. Mary Boulevard,” the report says.
“A reduction in the speed limit will require significant police enforcement to bring operating speeds more closely in line with a posted speed limit of 70 km/h.”
The operations committee will decide on the report at its Nov. 14. It will also consider a report recommending that the right-of-way be reassigned at the intersection of Montee Genereux and Pilon Street in Rayside-Balfour “so that westbound traffic on Pilon Street is controlled with a stop sign and the existing stop sign facing southbound traffic on Montee Genereux is removed.
“Based on traffic volume and collision history, an all-way stop is not warranted at this intersection. However, in order to improve safety and to implement a standard uniform system of traffic control, it is recommended that traffic be controlled with a Stop sign facing westbound traffic on Pilon Street.
