By Sheldon Spackman and Josh Hall

Reduced speed limit in the works for Blackfalds

Feb 19, 2019 | 10:19 AM

Wheels are now in motion to lower the speed limit in the Town of Blackfalds from 50 km/hr to 40 km/hr.

Council has passed first reading of the Town’s Traffic Bylaw which includes several amendments, including a speed limit change to 40 km/hr unless otherwise posted.

Mayor Richard Poole says the intent is to increase public safety.

“The Traffic Bylaw hasn’t been revised in a couple years and we’re also using this as an opportunity to update definitions and make sure that we are really clear on everything within our Traffic Bylaw,” he explains. “Council has been hearing for quite a while that a lot of our community feels that the speed of the cars within our town are moving too fast. We heard that during the election campaign and we also heard it from our policing committee and in general, councilors have been saying they’ve been hearing it fairly frequently.”

As a result, Poole says traffic speeds have been more closely monitored within town.

Individuals aged 55 and over

Central Alberta Older Adult Employment Strategy Assessment Project full report released

6h ago

UPDATE

Red Deer Polytechnic confirms student death on-campus

9h ago

retrofitting building

Carnival Cinemas applies to rezone for residential development

11h ago

“They’ve been monitoring them at specific locations and we found that there are times when cars are speeding very excessively,” says Poole. “First of all, we know from investigation that by lowering speed limits, we also have the opportunity that if a person was to be hit and moving at 40 km/hr as opposed to 50 km/hr, the injury severity decreases significantly. Also, we have a young community, a lot of kids in our community so we feel this is just a logical step forward.”

Although the new speed limit is planned mostly for residential areas, Poole says there will be some exceptions if the bylaw receives final approval following a Public Hearing slated for March 12.

“There will be some select arterial routes and the school and playground zones,” adds Poole. “One of the differences is we’ve defined when school zones will be in effect and the playground zones are until 9:00 p.m. rather than one hour after sunset. There are a number of communities within Alberta that already have that in existence.”

Poole says lower speed limits have had positive impacts in other communities such as Eckville and Airdrie.

“We are utilizing their information and their experience and what I’ve heard from there is mayors and councilors are receiving absolutely no complaints,” Poole declares. “I would encourage everyone to look at the bylaw and look at all the changes and if they have concerns, then now would be the time to come forward at the Public Hearing on March 12. We really look forward to having comments come forward and are interested in feedback.”

Other changes to the Traffic Bylaw in Blackfalds include playground zone speed limit times in effect from 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. and costs incurred by the Town for clearing sidewalks to be added to the tax roll if unpaid.

Penalties have also been reviewed and increased to reflect costs associated with required court appearances and related costs.

Town officials note however that although the new fines may be higher than other municipalities, the increase was done to not burden taxpayers with too great of additional costs for enforcement of the Bylaw.

If second and third readings of the new Traffic Bylaw follow the March 12 Public Hearing, next steps include public education and notification through a detailed communication strategy, a review of signage location requirements, roadside development application, permits and installation and the new speed limit coming into effect June 15.

According to Town officials, financial implications include roughly $5,000 for new signs and installation incorporated into the 2019 budget.