Traffic calming measures could be coming to West River Road to reduce speed and enforce parking restrictions on a stretch of the road set to become a school zone.
A staff report being presented to council at its upcoming meeting recommends that the stretch of West River Road, between Culham and Grand Ridge Drives, be designated a school zone with a 40 km/h speed limit. Additionally, a no parking anytime restriction will be implemented on the west side of West River Road, starting 162 metres south of Culham Drive to 61 metres south of it.
The recommendations are considered level one traffic calming measures and stem from a 2019 speed study conducted on that stretch of West River Road. The results of the study indicated that 85 per cent of drivers were travelling at a 60 km/h, which is 10 km/h higher than the posted limit.
Based on that information, the existing school area designation was re-evaluated and staff determined that a school zone was warranted. A school area is designated by school area signs only, whereas a school zone is designated by signs and a 40 km/h speed limit.
Further level one traffic calming measures include signs and pavement markings to help address speeding. To accommodate these traffic calming measures, a no parking anytime restriction will be posted on the west side of West River Road, approximately 30 metres north and 24 metres south of the Tait Street Public School driveway. This will eliminate seven on-street parking spots. Level one traffic calming measures include a painted centre median with seasonal traffic calming signs at the West River Road access to Tait Street Public School.
Costs for the project are estimated to be $4,000 for required traffic sign and pavement marking improvements, including seasonal traffic calming signs. The staff report says all this will be funded through the 2021 operating budget.
The council meeting begins at 5 p.m. on July 13 and a live stream can be viewed via the city's YouTube channel.
