ATHABASCA – University Hill is a dense part of Athabasca; between Edwin Parr Composite School (EPC), the Athabasca Regional Multiplex, and Athabasca University, it is one of the most trafficked roads in town every day.
With that in mind, the news that the Town of Athabasca will be moving the 30 km/h speed zone further to the west after it was changed last year will be welcome to many, after councillors heard a variety of complaints about the change at their Dec. 17 meeting.
“For that 100 to 200 yards, it makes it difficult for most people. Realistically, you have to be going 50 to make it to the top of the hill or you’ll probably spin out in this type of weather, and then all of a sudden you hit this 30 zone,” said Coun. Dave Pacholok. “I can say, with most of our population, you’re not considering going 30 when you hit that sign.”
Coun. Edie Yuill had initially proposed moving the speed sign all the way back to the entrance to EPC, but had a tough time getting support from her fellow councillors who were concerned about the Rotary Trail crosswalk.
“I wouldn’t vote for anything that’s on the west side of the crosswalk, when it comes to the speed limits, the safety, and playground zone. I still see kids all the time crossing the road to go use the trails,” said Coun. Jon LeMessurier, a staunch advocate for traffic safety.
In addition to the new speed sign, the town will put up a sign before the top of the hill warning drivers about the upcoming crosswalk.
“Nine months of the year, there’s hockey parents and everybody else trying to get their kids to practices or games, and there’s people coming from out of town to come to games, and there’s been a lot of ridicule that it’s just a money grab,” said Yuill.
The decision to move the sign had originally been made by CAO Rachel Ramey after consulting with the town’s peace officer and superintendent, so councillors hadn’t weighed in before it changed last fall.
“We had had complaints and concerns about the safety of the crosswalk,” said Ramey.
Despite the shift back towards its original location, Ramey said she didn’t anticipate any future safety issues.
“Since we moved it, I can say I’ve had far more complaints about the speed limit than I did about the crosswalk itself.”
