M.D. of Bonnyville approves several speed limit increases and reductions

M.D. of Bonnyville Council adopted the Speed Limit Policy on May 27, 2020, giving Administration direction to collect current speed limits throughout the municipality.

At the July 28 meeting, Council approved several speed limit increases and reductions across the M.D. with 11 roads built to highway specifications seeing an increase from 80 km/h to 90 km/h, and two other roads seeing an increase in their current limits.

On June 16, Council gave direction to Administration to bring back recommendations on increasing speed limits on approved engineered roads to 90 km/hr.

Three roads will also see a decrease in speed limits due to traffic, road topography, and roadside vegetation. The changes will require an update to the current M.D. bylaw.

Matt Janz is the General Manager of Environmental and Protective Services for the M.D. of Bonnyville.

“Once the limits have been changed, more information will be posted on the M.D. website and social media platforms,” Janz stated.

The following speed limit recommendations and non recommendations were presented to council.

• RR 485 between Twp 630 and Hwy 660 – To be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Glendon)
• RR 485A between Twp 632 and Hwy 55 – To be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Manatokan)
• RR 475 between Hwy 660 and Twp 620 – To be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Franchere)
• . RR 473 between Hwy 55 and Twp 642 – To be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Manatokan)
• Twp 642 from RR 476 as it curves northbound and turns into RR 475 to the gravel Wolf Lake access – To
  be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Curve speed reduced accordingly and signed appropriately)
• RR 470 between Hwy 55 and Twp 634 – This road is slightly narrower than the others on this list and given the minimal length no recommendation was made (Iron River)
• RR 444 between Hwy 55 and Twp 635 & 640 – This road is slightly narrower than the others on this list and given the minimal length no recommendation was made (Crane Lake)
• Twp 650 between Hwy 897 and the Fish Hatchery – To be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Fish Hatchery)
• RR 423A (28th Street Cold Lake) between Twp 650 and 1st Ave in Cold Lake – No recommendations made (Cold Lake)
• Twp 630 between Cold Lake and the Sask border – No recommendations made (Cold Lake)
• RR 415A/420 between Twp 630 and 632A – No recommendations made (Cold Lake)
• RR 450 between Hwy 659 and Hwy 28 – No recommendations made (Fort Kent)
• RR 442 between Hwy 659 and Twp 602A – To be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Beartrap)
• Gurneyville Rd. (RR 460) from Town of Bonnyville corporate limit be increased from 80km/h to 90 km/h until Twp 600. Increase to 100 km/h not supported due to heavy pedestrian traffic between Kehewin and Bonnyville, volume of homes on either side of the road, and curvature of the roadway. (Gurneyville)
• Twp 630 east of RR 473 – To be increased to 80 km/h from 60 km/h (Manatokan)
• RR 472 between Twp 600 and the termination of the road – Reduced to 10km/h for unknown reason at unknown time. Recommend increase to 50 km/h. (Kehewin)
• Twp 622 between RR 470 and Hwy 41 – To be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Dupre)
• Twp 624 between Goodridge Hall and Hwy 881 – To be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Goodridge)
• Twp 630 between RR 485 and Hwy 881 – To be increased from 80 to 90 km/h (Goodridge)
• RR 461 between Hwy 660 and Hwy 28 – No changes recommended (Neighbourhood Inn)
• RR 455 between Hwy 660 and Town of BV limits – No changes recommended (T&U Road)

Highway (RR or Twp Road) Speed Decreases – The following roadways were evaluated by Public Safety personnel and the following recommendations were made to Transportation based on the following criteria:

• Pike Road (Twp 604 by Native Rehab Centre) – To be reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h as eastbound motorists reach the top of the hill and increased from 50 km/h to 80 km/h in the same place for westbound traffic. (Native Rehab Centre)
• Twp 604A between RR 470 and RR 471 – To be reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h due to narrow roadway and short untrimmed ditches (Eastbourne)
• RR 420A– To be reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h due to narrow roadway and short untrimmed ditches. (Grand Centre Golf Course)

“The advantage of the speed increase recommendations is to safely expedite travel for M.D. residents and visitors. The roads that are chosen have been built to an engineered standard that supports a speed limit of 90km/hr,” Janz stated.

The reductions have been recommended only in residential sub-division type areas, or in frequently travelled roadways where the engineering of the road, topography, width, or other considerations have demonstrated the need for a reduction.

It will cost taxpayers however, the average cost for a speed sign and pole is approximately $100. Calculations suggest that approximately
100 signs would be needed to re-sign all subdivision entrances, speed change, and speed change ahead signs.

The total expense should come in at approximately $10,000.

To view the speed limit map click here.

Arthur@lakelandconnect.thedev.ca