Colwood motorists can expect changes to their morning and afternoon commutes in the near future after council approved several traffic-calming measures aimed at controlling speed and volumes around the Esquimalt Lagoon.
At a regular meeting Tuesday (May 23), council unanimously voted to install temporary speed cushions along Lagoon Road and direct staff to commence analysis and implementation of route modifications in the surrounding areas. This will include turning restrictions during rush hour.
Staff anticipate the speed cushions, which will be designed to be removed in the winter to allow for snow clearing, will be installed soon, while the study on where to install turn restriction signs and their installation will be completed in a matter of weeks.
Council debated recommendations provided by staff in a report looking at options to control speed on Lagoon Road, which council directed staff to compile in January in response to long-standing community concerns.
Staff presented two main recommendations for council to consider – either installing speed cushions or deliniators to reduce the lane width to its absolute minimum, which is known to cause motorists to reduce speed.
But debate on the recommendations quickly turned to whether the city was really addressing the root cause of the speeding issue in the area – high volumes of commuter traffic – and conversation started to focus on peak hour turn restrictions.
“This accomplishes what we are looking for right now, which is speed reductions on Lagoon Road, and it allows us to continue studying the impacts of that while looking at the bigger picture, and seeing if we can reduce the volumes,” said Coun. Ian Ward.
With the approved motion, staff will be empowered to install and, if needed, reposition peak volume turn restriction signs as directed by a traffic study, without being required to return to council with data to seek direction.
READ MORE: Colwood eyes speed cushions to slow speeders
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