ATHABASCA – A motion to reduce speeds across the Town of Athabasca was narrowly defeated, but councillors haven’t put the idea to rest quite yet.
During their Sept. 17 regular council meeting, councillors discussed a motion to reduce the speed limit on most town roads to 40 km/h after Coun. Jon LeMessurier said he had heard positive feedback since it was last discussed.
“I had quite a few residents that saw my views on this, and they were quite encouraged that it was on the table — they weren’t just from the Cornwall area, there were people from Wood Heights and near Landing Trail Intermediate School,” said LeMessurier.
Councillors had initially discussed the idea during their Aug. 13 council meeting, where they deferred it to last week's meeting. During the August meeting, LeMessurier cited a study from the University of Alberta that came out earlier this year, which showed the reduction from 50 km/h to 40 km/h led to a 25 per cent reduction in collisions, and a 31 per cent reduction in fatalities.
“I’ve been hearing a lot of feedback on this, and I’m tending to start to lean towards this 40 km/h limit,” said Edwards. “I’ve got a lot of concerns, especially on residential streets in the West End. Since school has started there’s been a lot of faster traffic.”
Councillors defeated the speed reducing motion 3-2 – Mayor Rob Balay and councillors Darlene Reimer and Edie Yuill were opposed, while Sara Graling and Dave Pacholok were absent – instead choosing to go ahead with a survey to get insight from the community.
“I would rather see a petition from a neighborhood saying there’s enough people here that are concerned and are asking town council to make a change,” said Balay. “I would like to see that happen first before we take that step.”
The proposal wouldn’t have been a blanket reduction; instead, it would have left Canyon Road, Tower Road, The Old Colinton Highway, Woodheights Road, University Road, and Industrial Road at 50 km/h.
As Graling put it during the Aug. 13 meeting, trying to drive 40 km/h on certain roads was “excruciating.”
The two highways — Hwy 2 and Hwy 55 — would also remain at 50, as the town doesn’t have the jurisdiction to make changes on provincial roads.
In recent years, a number of communities across the province have made the switch to a municipal-wide 40 km/h unless otherwise posted, including Calgary, Edmonton, St. Albert, Westlock, Leduc, Morinville, and others. The latest city to make the switch was Spruce Grove, with new limit coming into effect at the end of August.
Community Feedback
Councillors voted unanimously to have administration put together a survey on the topic, which will ask locals to choose between three options: leave the speed as is, reduce it to 40 across the board, or keep it at 50 for the six roads listed above, while reducing to 40 everywhere else.
Respondents will also be asked where they reside — CAO Rachel Ramey said it would be critical for her team to have the data of where the answers came from.
Council took the idea from Athabasca County, who have done a variety of surveys recently, with Yuill asking why the town couldn’t do a similar thing.
“I’ve gotten about 50/50 responses. Many people want the highways reduced, which I told them isn’t going to happen,” said Yuill. “The other comment I’ve gotten is that it’s a cash cow, and council is looking for money.”
For LeMessurier, the safety aspect remains the most important point. While data from flashing speed signs has shown drivers are mostly careful in residential areas, he said the potential decrease in collisions outweighs the downsides.
“The study I showed (highlighted) the benefit of reducing speed from 50 to 40. We haven’t had a collision in a long time, but this is an opportunity to be proactive,” said LeMessurier. “Everyone in town deserves to be safe.”
