The School Zone Traffic Safety Advisory Committee proposed a number of changes to the speed limit on some Innisfil streets, as well as the addition of new speed limit signs.
In particular, the Committee targeted four locations where there is currently an abrupt change from 80 kmph to 50 kmph.
The recommendations called for a new 60 kmph transitional zone, to create a more gradual transition from one speed to the other, on Line 10 between 20 and 25 Sideroad; Line 10 between 10 Sideroad and Dempster; Line 4 between Sloan Circle Drive and 10 Sideroad; and Shoreacres Drive between Everton and 20 Sideroad.
The recommendations also included reducing the speed limit on Big Bay Point Road, from 25 Sideroad to Lake Simcoe, from 60 kmph to 50 kmph. The committee noted that the transition from 60 kmph to 50 kmph currently does not correspond with the transition from a rural to an urban environment.
Twenty-six new signs will need to be installed, to mark the new transitional speed zones. The committee also identified the need for 49 additional speed limit signs to be installed on 25 Sideroad, Ewart Street, King Street in Cookstown between Victoria Street and Kidds Lane, Big Bay Point Road, Fairway Road and Line 4, to make the limits clear to motorists
“Each of the recommended changes will improve safety locally,” noted the report.
The $15,000 cost of the new signs will come from the Town of Innisfil’s Traffic Calming Strategy capital project.
Council approved the recommendation.
Deputy Mayor Dan Davidson suggested the reduction in speed on Big Bay Point Road could help ease some of the concerns of residents in the area, who have complained of heavy traffic and speeding drivers, relating to Friday Harbour Resort.
“I’m glad to see this come forward. It’s nice to see a slowdown,” said Davidson, but he added, “I think we’ll have to see some enforcement, to get it abided to.”
