Imagine a city where you're constantly battling traffic, questioning speed limits, and navigating confusing intersections. That's the reality for many in Sudbury, and recent decisions by the city council's operations committee are stirring up quite a debate! The big question: Are they making things better, or just adding fuel to the fire? Let's dive in.
Major Changes Approved for Municipal Road 15
Good news for some drivers in Sudbury! The operations committee has given the green light to increase the speed limit on a significant portion of Municipal Road 15. The plan is to bump the speed from 60 km/h to 70 km/h. But here's where it gets controversial... This change isn't happening everywhere on MR 15.
Ward 5 Councillor Mike Parent introduced an amendment to keep a section of the road within Blezard Valley at 60 km/h. This slower speed will be maintained for one kilometer west of Martin Road and 150 meters east of Menard Street, a residential area. Parent perfectly captured the challenge: "Motorists want to go faster, those who own properties along thoroughfares want traffic to go slower.” Finding the right balance is key.
Stop Signs on Dell Street to Disappear
In another move aimed at improving traffic flow, the committee also approved the removal of two stop signs on Dell Street at the intersection with Morin Ave. This will transform what was previously a four-way stop into a two-way stop, with Morin Avenue maintaining its stop signs. The reason? Safety concerns related to the nearby CN Railway crossing. A city report highlighted that vehicles stopping or turning at the four-way stop could potentially block the railway crossing due to insufficient space between the stop line and the tracks. This is a clear example of how seemingly small changes can significantly impact safety.
The Costco Conundrum: No Immediate Changes Planned
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: the Costco parking lot exit onto Barrydowne Road. Ward 11 Councillor Bill Leduc initially raised concerns about the traffic congestion at this location, especially during peak hours. Currently, duty police officers are hired (at the property owner's expense) to manage the traffic flow. The operations committee decided not to make any immediate changes. And this is the part most people miss... A municipal report actually justified the need for a traffic signal at the intersection. However, there's a significant hurdle: potential traffic backup onto The Kingsway. The intersection is only about 120 meters from The Kingsway, while the Ontario Traffic Manual recommends a minimum distance of 215 meters for roads with speed limits of 60 km/h or less. The report also pointed out that the congestion is primarily happening on Costco's private property. City staff have indicated they're open to further discussions and analysis with Costco if requested. So, the Costco situation remains unresolved for now.
Next Steps: Full Council Vote
These decisions, or the lack thereof in the case of Costco, still need to be officially approved by the full city council on October 21st. However, given the unanimous support at the committee level, it's highly likely that they will pass. Keep an eye on future meetings, though. Leduc wasn't present at the committee meeting and hasn't yet reviewed the report on the Costco situation. He could potentially bring the issue back up for discussion.
Diverting Traffic: A Potential Solution?
City Traffic and Transportation Manager David Knutson pointed out that the 85th percentile speed on Municipal Road 15 is significantly higher than the posted 60 km/h. This means that 85% of drivers are already traveling faster than the speed limit! Despite this, he recommended that the parallel residential streets like St. Laurent Street and Valleyview Road remain at their current 60 km/h (with a 40 km/h zone near two schools). The hope is that by increasing the speed limit on Municipal Road 15, fewer drivers will choose to use these quieter, residential streets as shortcuts. But will it actually work?
A Divisive Topic: What Do You Think?
Speed limits are always a hot topic, and these changes in Sudbury are no exception. Some drivers will welcome the increased speed limit on Municipal Road 15, while others may worry about the potential impact on safety, especially in residential areas. The decision to remove the stop signs on Dell Street seems to be driven by clear safety concerns related to the railway crossing. However, the inaction at Costco raises questions about how the city prioritizes traffic flow versus potential backups onto major roadways. Is it fair to put the onus on Costco to solve a problem that affects the entire city? And what about the residents who have to navigate the Costco traffic on a daily basis?
What are your thoughts on these changes? Do you think increasing the speed limit on Municipal Road 15 is a good idea? Are you concerned about the traffic situation at the Costco parking lot exit? Share your opinions and let's get the conversation started!
