LAC LA BICHE - Throughout Lac La Biche County, many speed limits on roadways have become a concern for residents, according to County officials.
Speed limits along the Caslan Connector and Twp. Rd 670 intersection, which has a limit of 80 km/hour, was part of discussions that took place during a recent council meeting. The speed limit is a growing concern that is seeing residents get tickets, said County Mayor Paul Reutov after receiving “numerous phone calls” on the issue.
“The request is to change the speed limit from the crossroads [south]... on that new paved road to the Caslan Connector. Currently, it’s zoned 80 km/hour. Everybody feels it’s just a speed trap because it’s just a wide-open highway with no residential whatsoever,” said the mayor.
Reutov reinforced the concern by stating he’s received a ticket himself on the road, while leaving the Plamondon area and heading to the hamlet of Lac La Biche.
“Full disclosure, even I got a speeding ticket on it… I’ve never had a speeding ticket in my life. I just got a speeding ticket for [going] 30 km over.”
However, the prescribed speed limit is primarily due to other roadways inside the County boundaries, which are mostly set at 80 km/hour, said Brian Shapka, the County’s Associate Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Infrastructure Services.
Considering that much of the Caslan Connector already has a 100 km/hour maximum speed limit, the specific section up for debate has hills, he says, adding, some sections are event reduced to 50 km/hour.
“The only thing is that at the very north end, again we’re restricted a little bit by the sight distance on the hills as you approach Highway 55, so that’s reduced to 50 km/hour,” he said, during discussions about adjusting limits.
“I would think that, that part would have to stay at 50 km/hour, but the rest can be changed to 90km/hour or 100 km/hour.”
Bylaw change required
Any adjustments to speed limits on roadways under County jurisdiction need to be approved by council through the Traffic Safety Act’s bylaw 19-024, Shapka said.
“The way to do that is through our Traffic Bylaw, so the CAO can actually make the changes but then the bylaw itself would have to come to council for approval. So ultimately, council has a final say,” he explained.
“Right now it’s 80 km/hour, so that’s what they’re going to enforce until the traffic bylaw is changed.”
Wider issue
Other areas that have been the topic of concern included the westbound leg of the Mission Road to Lac La Biche Gun and Archery Range, said Coun. Jason Stedman.
“That’s another one that I get lots of calls about. You’ve got a very clear open area with a few setback houses, but it seems to be kind of a speed trap area again there too.”
Poplar Point Road is another issue, according to Coun. Sterling Johnson.
However, concerns also exist in other areas where residents and council members believe speed limits are too high.
“I think just about every councillor has one they would like to see increased or decreased here… We also have a request from council regarding speed limits in hamlets and some people want them lowered,” said Dan Small, the County’s CAO.
The CAO explained that in order to apply tangible changes to the traffic bylaw to meet resident and safety needs, community consultations are vital.
“We’re planning on doing a survey of the public and what they think the speed limits in the hamlets should be,” he said. Results will be brought back to council.
Reutov said he felt the Caslan Connector concern was a major one, and while more research and decisions need to be made for the greater area, the Connector speed change should be dealt with sooner than later.
“I think it’s a larger discussion, but this is very clear cut. I’d like this one to be independent and we can further do a study... but I’d like this one to be separate if possible,” said Reutov.
Council agreed to take a look at the Caslan Connector speed limit in the coming weeks. Other areas requiring a reduction or an increase will be tabled for approval after public consultation.
