Ottawa looks to harmonize speed limit on 7.5 km stretch of Orléans road

The city is looking to clear up the confusion over the six different speed limits on a stretch of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard. CTV’s Dave Charbonneau reports.

The City of Ottawa is looking to clear up the confusion over speed limits on a 7.5 kilometre stretch of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard in Orléans by reducing the number of speed limit zones from six to three.

There are currently six existing speed zones on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard North, between the roundabout at St-Joseph Boulevard and Inlet Private, with the speeds ranging between 40 km/h and 60 km/h. The road includes two 40 km/h zone schools in effect Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“It’s too many changes,” Kim said. “So I think they should just have one or maybe just two.”

Council will vote next week on a motion to harmonize the various speed limits along Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard from six zones to three, with the speed limit at 40 km/h or 50 km/h. The public works and infrastructure committee approved the plan in late October.

“The proposed speed limits along this section of Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard North aim to provide consistency for motorists while also considering adjacent land uses and areas with higher pedestrian and cycling activity,” staff said in the report.

“These speeds will be in effect at all times, which will help reduce overall confusion as drivers move along the corridor. A speed limit of 40 km/h is proposed near schools, removing the time and day specific speed limit reductions.”

Orléans councillors say the current speed limit zones cause confusion for drivers.

“It just makes more sense,” Coun. Matthew Luloff told CTV News Ottawa on Monday.

“You know, people don’t like being in a 40 zone. But you need to be paying attention when there’s vulnerable road users and children around.”

In the report for council, Luloff said, “While we must recognize that this corridor serves a variety of functions—with some sections fronting schools, others fronting residential driveways, and others still operating as higher-capacity thoroughfares—the current situation, with multiple speed zones within a very short distance of one another, does not encourage safe driving or predictable driver behaviour.“

Coun. Laura Dudas said the inconsistency is frustrating for drivers and poses a “real safety concern.”

“The current layout has been a frequent concern raised by local residents, who are understandably frustrated by the lack of clarity and the potential risks it creates,” Dudas said.

“This commonsense approach brings clarity for all road users and supports safer travel for students, families, and commuters alike. With the new LRT station coming online at Highway 174, consistent speed limits in the area will be even more important for ensuring safe and comfortable access for all.”

The Convent Glen – Orléans Wood Community Association said in a post that it supports the changes to the speed limits but notes the speed of drivers is dictated by the design of the road.

“As a community association, we would like to see the city explore quick solutions to calm the traffic along Jeanne d’Arc that are design-focused as opposed to enforcement focus,” the association said on its website, noting there is a photo radar camera on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard.

“The city can cheaply do better to ensure the safety of our children than simply changing a speed limit sign.”

The community association suggests blocking a lane of traffic on the road with flexisticks.

“So, what we’d really like to see is the lanes narrowed, to be able to actually do something to physically control the speed. We have a new roundabout in here,” said Rob Attrell of the Convent Glen – Orléans Wood Community Association." And, you know, the signs say 30, but the road design also forces you to slow down."

Current speed limits on Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard

• Roundabout at St. Joseph Boulevard to 170 metres south of roundabout at Fortune Drive: 60 km/h
• 170 metres south of roundabout at Fortune Drive to 200 metres west of Billberry Drive: 40 km/h school zone, 50 km/h and 60 km/h.
• 200 metres west of Bilberry Drive to 100 metres west of Tenth Line Road: 40 km/h and 50 km/h.
• 100 metres west of Tenth Line Road to Inlet Private: 60 km/h.

Here are the proposed new speed limit zones along Jeanne d’Arc Boulevard

• 50 km/h from the roundabout at St. Joseph Bouleavard to 170 metres south of the roundabout at Fortune Drive/Vineyard Drive
• 40 km/h from 170 metres south of the roundabout at Fortune Drive/Vineyard Drive to 100 metres west of Tenth Line Road
• 50 km/h from 100 metres of Tenth Line Road to Inlet Private

With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Dave Charbonneau