BARRIE - At tonight's meeting, council will get the chance for a quick fix to the neighbourhood speeding problem.
A report suggested spending $65,000 to buy 20 rubber speed bumps for ‘traffic calming’.
The speed limit along most Barrie roads is 50 km/h. Whether due to construction or just general congestion along the main roads, however, drivers are cutting through residential neighbourhoods to try and save time.
And the city says they’re speeding.
If approved, these new temporary speed bumps can be installed at 10 locations, left there for three months, then moved to the next problem area.
They aren’t used in the wintertime, because snowplows need to properly clear the road.
Eccles Street was the site for a pilot project last year, and speeds were reduced from 60 km/h to 51 km/h, the city said.
Both transit and emergency services are supportive of the idea, and some councillors agree.
“I don't think the traffic calming measures proposed in the staff report will solve everything, but they will help,” said Ward 4 Coun. Barry Ward. “Speeding is one of the most common complaints I get as a councillor. Many of them come from people on streets that are excluded from both the permanent and temporary traffic calming measures. They aren’t local or minor collector streets, such as Livingstone Street or Anne Street.”
Ward was in favour of looking at a more permanent solution for the future.
“I accept the traffic cushions slow down drivers while they are up and for that particular portion of the street. I’m not sure if they do much good three months after they are removed or farther down the block.”
Ward 7 Coun. John Brassard said the rubber speed bumps will help, and council shouldn’t shy away from the investment.
He said “making streets safer across the entire city has far more value” than silencing the GO train whistle for a few people.
His residents are demanding change, since drivers won’t slow down. “We have to do something to slow them down to avoid the risk of having a child hurt or, worse, killed.”
Problem streets in his ward included Mapleton Street east of Essa Road and Girdwood Drive.
Ward 1 streets include Grove Street, Johnson Street and Downsview Drive, said Coun. Bonnie Ainsworth. She also believes slowing speeders is the right idea.
Ferndale Drive North, Miller Drive, Anne Street North and Leacock are the main problem areas in Ward 5, said Coun. Peter Silveira.
He said residents are becoming frustrated with aggressive driving and “neighbourhood shortcutting”.
A vote on the traffic calming policy is expected at tonight's meeting, and council will officially approve its recommendation Jan. 17.
jramsay@simcoe.com