Ottawa installing 13 new photo radar cameras, but not turning them on

A photo radar camera waits to snap images of drivers exceeding the speed limit. (CTV News Ottawa)

The City of Ottawa will finish installing 13 new photo radar cameras, despite Premier Doug Ford’s plans to ban speed cameras across the province.

The city tells CTV News Ottawa staff were instructed to halt the installation of any poles or cameras at new sites until further notice on Oct. 3, amidst Ford’s plans to get rid of automated speed enforcement in Ontario.

However, some work that had already been started is still underway. The installation of the 13 cameras will be completed, but the city says they will not be turned on immediately.

“No new cameras will be activated until the legislation has been thoroughly reviewed and understood. As we wait for legislation to be tabled in the provincial legislature, geometric work related to ASE installations must proceed as planned to meet existing contractual obligations and for site restoration purposes to ensure the project sites remain safe,” Kunjan Ghimire, Program Manager of Automated Enforcement Programs, said in an email Wednesday afternoon.

The city had planned to install a total of 24 new speed cameras this fall.

According to the city, poles and camera have already been installed at 13 sites, and work is expected to be complete by Nov. 14.

“Once the impacts of the legislation are fully understood, the City will take the appropriate measures to adhere to the provincial regulations,” Ghimire said.

In September, city staff told CTV News Ottawa it would cost $1.73 million to install the 24 new photo radar cameras this fall, with the design and construction for each camera costing approximately $72,000.

On Tuesday, the premier reiterated his plans to introduce legislation this fall to ban automated speed enforcement cameras, calling them a “cash grab.”

On Wednesday, Coun. Tim Tierney introduced a motion at Ottawa City Council calling on the province to allow automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones and Mayor Mark Sutcliffe voiced his disagreement with Ford’s plans.

There are currently 60 photo radar cameras installed across Ottawa.

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