This article was previously published on GuelphToday.
Guelph drivers would be wise to watch their speed in light of limit reductions on several sections of busy roads.
Most of the lower limits are inspired by changes in the city’s character, city staff explain, noting one came about because the road was reclassified.
“Generally the speed limit changes reflect the ever-increasing urbanization of the city in roadways that historically were in more rural areas,” explained Steve Anderson, the city’s acting-general manager of engineering and transportation services, via email. “We typically make these types of changes while school is out, regardless if there’s a school present or not.”
The speed limit changes include:
- Victoria Road North from 100 metres north of Simmonds Drive to the northern city limit (from 60 km/h to 50 km/h)
- Victoria Road South from Maltby Road East to 300 metres south of the Eramosa River (from 70 km/h to 60 km/h)
- Clair Road East from Gordon Street to Victoria Road South (from 60 km/h to 50 km/h)
- Imperial Road South from Willow Road to Wellington Street West (from 50 km/h to 40km/h).
Though the first three are reflective of urbanization, Anderson said the change on Imperial came about because of the road’s reclassification.
“This change was for consistency purposes with other roads with the same classification,” he wrote. “This change is to reflect the fact the initial speed limit change on Imperial should have extended all the way south to Wellington.”
Council approved a bylaw approving the reduced speed limits in May, though Anderson said signs were posted in the past three weeks.
“Speeding is a leading cause of injury severity if a collision occurs,” said the acting-GM, who noted city staff will be on hand at Guelph Farmers’ Market on Saturday to discuss the change and answer questions.
