The speed limits on some of the 328 roads overseen by the Town of Bracebridge have been revised.
In Dec. 2023, council agreed to set the default speed limit on all of the municipal roads in Bracebridge to 40 km/h.
However, the direction was also given to staff to analyze the municipal roads and see if further speed reductions are necessary.
The change was approved during the July 10 council meeting. It will affect 164 urban roads and 116 rural roads. Ann St. from Aubrey St. to River Rd. will also be affected with its speed limit dropped 30 km/h.
In a report to council, Yvon Gravel, manager of engineering, and Geoff Carleton, director of public works, outlined how, “the combination of required stopping sight distance and poor sightlines” at the railway crossing on Ann requires them to have an advanced train signaling system. But by dropping the speed limit to 30 km/h, they don’t have to have the advanced system in place.
“One of the primary considerations in the design of a road is providing safe stopping sight distances where vehicle conflicts could occur,” continued Carleton. “As vehicles travelling at lower speeds require less distance to come to a full stop, speed reductions result in shorter stopping sight distances in areas of potential vehicle conflicts.”
Gravel explained how the changes require the town to install close to 320 new signs and remove 75 existing ones. He estimated the work could cost between $50,000 and $100,000, depending on if the work is done internally or if they bring in a third party to handle it.
He added the cost would be included in the town’s 2025 budget.
Carleton explained how the OPP will continue to enforce speed limits, but town staff are looking into the possibility of using automated speed enforcement (ASE). The location and amount of ASE systems would be up to council to decide with Carleton adding how they could be in a fixed position or mobile.
He explained how the data the town has shows speeding isn’t as big of an issue as some residents may think it is.
“That’s not to say there isn’t speeding,” he continued. “I would guarantee you that on every one of those roads, every road within this municipality, at a certain time of day, usually in the early mornings or late evenings, there are people that are driving excessively.”
Coun. Don Smith wondered how the change will be relayed to the community. “It is quite a substantial change,” he said.
Carleton responded consultation has been done in the lead up to this decision and will continue to be. “We have an onus, or a care of duty, to make sure the public is aware of the change,” he added.
