THE COUNTIES, Ontario – The United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry will implement speed limit changes at a small number of locations throughout the region.
Counties Council, on June 21, agreed to staff recommendations that will see new signage posted later this summer.
OPP Const. Tylor Copeland said police will continue to work with community partners to keep our roadways safe.
Speeding is an aggressive driving behaviour and continues to be a major contributing factor in motor vehicle collisions, fatalities and injuries on Ontario roads.
The OPP enforces speeding limit laws on Ontario’s roadways as established by the Ministry of Transportation.
The SD&G OPP does not determine or set speed limits on any roads or highways in our jurisdiction, but, supports any legislation that helps reduce the number of speed-related deaths and injuries on our roads.
Through the year, Counties staff receive a variety of requests to consider speed limit revisions. In accordance with Policy 2-6, these requests are analyzed against a number of parameters.
The following is a summary of the speed limit changes which were supported through the various reviews:
SDG 1 - HALLVILLE
Currently, the 50km/hr speed limit through Hallville extends to St. John St., with a 60km/hr speed limit continuing north another 200+ meters. Hallville is a growing community within North Dundas, and recent developments continue to expand the community’s footprint within the settlement area boundary. North Dundas is additionally receiving a substantial grant to develop the Hallville Community Park, located near the 60km/hr hour zone (opposite an existing residential area). All of these factors will result in increased vehicle access and pedestrian use; which is why staff are recommending the extension of the 50km/hr speed limit north (past the entrance to the Wylie Creek Subdivision) and the creation of a new 60km/hr transitional speed zone north of the newly expanded 50km/hr zone.
SDG 18 – ST. RAPHAEL’S
A speed limit review has confirmed that the existing speed limit of 60km/hr through St. Raphael’s should be reduced to 50km/hr. Transitional speed zones were considered at the limits of the 50km/hr zone; however after input from the OPP during the recent SDG Road Safety Task Force meeting, it was confirmed that a transitional speed zone would not be effective given the roadside environment outside the existing settlement area (there is a rapid transition from rural to urban cross section).
SDG 18 - WILLIAMSBURG
With the continued growth of this settlement area, a speed limit review confirmed that the existing 50km/hr speed zone west of SDG 31 needed to be extended to the westerly Schell St. entrance. The 60km/hr transitional speed zone was also extended (400m west).
SDG 27 – SUMMERSTOWN
A review confirmed that the existing speed limit on SDG 27, 1000m north of SDG 2 should be reduced from 80km/hr to 70km/hr. This is a result of the continued development having direct access onto SDG 2. As development in this area continues, staff expect that further speed limit reductions will be warranted.
SDG 36 – POST ROAD
A traffic study done in support of the Fenton Farms Subdivision has confirmed that a reduction in speed is warranted (from 80km/hr to 70km/hr). Similar to the findings of the SDG 27 review, as additional development takes place along this section of SDG 36, staff expect further speed limit reductions should be considered.