PUSLINCH – Slower roads are ahead for more than half of the township.
Approved at a council meeting Wednesday afternoon, Puslinch council has endorsed a review of the township's posted speed limits that recommended decreasing speed limits for 62.9 per cent or 110 of the township's 175 roads, "owing to unique local conditions" like road hazards and geometry.
Performed by Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited, the report also recommends the remaining 64 maintain their existing speed limits and that road segments with unfavourable road geometry, sharp bends and water hazards may require advisory speed limit signs in addition to the posted speed limit signs.
A segment of Concession Road 7 between Maltby Road West and Wellington Road 34 was under construction during the review and was not considered.
"Vehicle speeds have become an increasing concern within the community in recent years with its growing population," said Paradigm engineer Josh de Boer in the report. "The township is located in predominantly rural settings and road safety is a primary concern when setting speed limits."
The study results recommend speed limits varying between 40 km/h and 70 km/h, with a majority of road segments recommended at 50 km/h and 60 km/h.
Over a third of the road network currently operates with an unposted speed limit of 80 km/h and 53.8 per cent of the township's road network operates at 60 km/h.
Downey Road, between Laird Road West and Forestell Road, is the only segment in the network recommended to be 70 km/h due to its wide gravel shoulders, minimal road hazards, and additional turning lanes for traffic entering and exiting an aggregate pit on the west side of the road.
"Industry practice has traditionally been to have road design speeds higher than both desired operating speeds and posted speed limits. Some municipalities and townships in Ontario are moving towards lower design speeds or adjustments to their road design process to build roads that generate predetermined desired speeds," said de Boer in the report. "Speed management practices may be necessary to encourage compliance with posted speed limits."
While he was supportive of the proposed speed limits, councillor Russel Hurst said he was a little "hung up" on the enforcement side of things.
"I don't disagree with the process I think it's a really robust report I'm just struggling a little bit with the expectations and reality of going through this process," said Hurst.
Asking how much each sign will cost, Coun. Jessica Goyda suggested the signs be implemented in a staggered approach.
Director of public works, parks and facilities Mike Fowler said each sign will cost approximately $220.
Staff were directed to return back with a signage plan indicating where the signs will be installed and the associated costing, review the road management plan to determine the current plan for monitoring and evaluating speed and add the development of a strategic speed limit signage implementation plan into the corporate work plan for 2025.
The review and recommendations will be published on Engage Puslinch for public comments.
The speed limit changes are available on pages 253 and 254 of the report.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
