Edmonton’s main streets may see speed limit drop
EDMONTON Drivers may need to take their foot off the gas on Edmonton’s two main drags as the city proposes to cut the speed limit to 40 km/h on stretches of both streets.
The recommended slower speeds on Whyte and Jasper avenues are part of a larger speed limit overhaul to face city councillors for a decision expected later this month.
Although the reports have yet to be released, a map posted online by the city highlights a proposed reduction to 40 km/h on Jasper Avenue between 97 and 124 Streets and Whyte Avenue between 99 and 112 Streets.
Surrounding collector and residential streets in the area are slated to drop to 30 km/h as part of a new “core zone.”
Arterial roads in the core, including 104 Avenue, 109 Street and Calgary Trail, will remain 50 km/h.
Other main commuter roads like 101 and 97 Streets are recommended to drop to 30 km/h in the centre of the city, south of 103A Avenue.
A lower speed limit on Jasper Avenue was welcome news to Downtown Edmonton Community League president Chris Buyze when he was told of the proposed change Tuesday.
“That would be beneficial to downtown. The majority of people who are downtown commuting are walking place to place. It makes the streets feel safer,” he said.
“For Jasper Avenue, a reduced speed limit has to go part and parcel with continuing to renovate the street in terms of wider sidewalks and a more pleasant walking environment.”
Ward 1. Coun. Andrew Knack can’t recall many times he was able to go as fast as the current 50 km/h speed limit on the two streets due to congestion, so the lower speed limit may not actually impact travel time, but he hopes the change is made in conjunction with the timing of light signals.
“I think if we’re approaching this in a way that says we want to make the street livable and actually help with flow of existing traffic, but in a different way than we’ve thought about before, maybe we can make that work,” he said. “A slower speed limit doesn’t necessarily mean a longer travel time depending on how you integrate other elements. So if we do that well ... maybe everyone benefits.”
The proposed core zone for 30 km/h speed limits was first presented by community advocates to generate a feasible solution for lowering speed limits in the city. The recommendation from the city’s traffic safety team tightens the core zone circle on the north side by moving the boundary to 111 Avenue, rather than 118 Avenue as initially proposed. The core zone will also be bound by 142 Street, 61 Avenue and 75 Street.
The city is also hoping to curb concerns of longer travel times through an online “ETA Tool” for residents to estimate how much their commute will be impacted by the proposed speed changes. Residents can punch in their starting and end locations to get an estimated travel time, both currently and in the future if the proposed changes are approved. The city said most trip times won’t change that much as main arterial roads will be unaffected.
Trying to find the biggest impact on his ward residents, Knack said he spent some time using the tool and the most significant trip increase he could find was about a minute and a half.
The final reports will be released Feb. 13. Residents have a chance to weigh in at a public hearing Feb. 26. Speed limit changes will need to be approved by city council and could take up to 11 months to roll out.