County of Wetaskiwin council has tightened speed limits on some roads and subdivisions, as they approved an updated speed limit bylaw at their Public Works council meeting July 23.
Director of Public Works Neil Powell presented councilors with a memo regarding tighter speed limits at several locations, including some subdivisions.
“At the June 24, 2019 Council for Public Works meeting, Council approved a speed reduction on TWP RD 462 (from HWY 761 to RGE RD 60), reducing the speed from 80km/hr to 60km/hr and reducing the speed limit within Evergreen Estates and Maywood subdivision from 50km/hr to 30km/hr, and that the amended Speed Rate Bylaw be brought back for first reading.
“The content of the Speed Rate By-law has not changed. However, Appendix A has been amended numerous times and with the addition of the above approved speed reductions, Administration is of the opinion that Bylaw 2017/05 and all amending bylaws be repealed in their entirety.
“During the East End County Road Tour, Council drove the Snake Trail, west of Millet and suggested that the speed limit be reduced for safety reasons.
“Public Works drove the road in each direction and noted that 80 km/hr was not a comfortable speed. A speed of 50 km/hr was comfortable for most of the road except for the first three curves heading west from the Town of Millet boundary, where a speed of 30 km/hr felt most comfortable.
“An AutoCAD check of these three curves indicated radii of between 70 and 90 m. Under Alberta Transportation Geometric Design Guidelines, radii at these measurements is acceptable for speeds of 40 km/hr or less, with the condition that a 40 km/hr design speed be implemented only if there is a constructed super elevated curve of 8% to offset centrifugal forces. Public Works recommendation is to post the entire Snake Trail at 50 km/hr and post advisory speeds of 30 km/hr for curves with a measured radius of 100 m or less,” added Powell in his report.
Councilors unanimously passed the new speed limit bylaw and repealed the old one.