Speed limits reducing on some residential streets in Stittsville

Ottawa City Council endorsed a motion to reduce the speed limit of multiple roads from 50 km/h to 40km/h in one of Stittsville’s newer subdivisions.

This includes all sections of Abbott Street East, Cope Drive, Rouncey Road, and Cranesbill Road — located between Terry Fox Drive and Robert Grant Avenue, in the east end corner of Stittsville,

City council approved the motion brought by Ward 6 Councillor Glen Gower in the July 10 meeting.

While the neighbourhood along Fernbank Road has gradually developed over the past ten-to-twelve years, the speed limit reduction of 40km/h is related to residents’ concerns on road safety and speeding.

A number of residents in the community contacted the councillor’s office, requesting a reduction in speed will improve community safety, the transportation committee said in its report.

The impacted streets share several schools, parks, and homes fronting onto the street, as well as on-street parking on both sides.

Gower emphasized the importance of maintaining slower speeds for pedestrian safety and cyclist safety, and keeping consistency with other residential streets.

“The consistent 40 km/h signage makes it easier for police to enforce, and is a reminder to motorists that 40km/h is the maximum acceptable speed on residential streets,” he told CityNews in an email.

Data from the World Health Organization has found that pedestrians have a 90 per cent chance of survival if hit by a vehicle travelling at 30km/h, compared with a 50 per cent chance of survival if that vehicle is travelling at 50km/h, he said.

‘’I know that simply changing the signs won’t be enough to completely change driver behaviour, but I do think they are an important reminder to drivers to slow down in the neighbourhood,’’ Gower noted. ‘’Police are making changes to put more focus on traffic enforcement in residential communities like this one.’’

The city has other tools at its disposal like roundabouts as a way to calm traffic. Gower said more measures are being implemented including flex stakes, crosswalks and “potentially” automated speed enforcement cameras.

The speed limit signage in the area will be funded through the city’s yearly Gateway Speed Limit zone project budget, wrote the transportation committee, which Gower said will be installed late this year.

The project cost is estimated at $4700 plus HST. This number includes the cost of materials, and labour — such as the removal of existing gateway signs, and adding news signs, the report notes.

Speed limits on Terry Fox Drive, Robert Grant Avenue and Fernbank Road will not change, as they are outside of the boundaries of the new gateway zone.

The speed limit reduction is expected to cause an increase in commute time on the segments of bus routes 67, 163, and 168, wrote the city.