Winnipeg committee backs push to lower residential speed limits

Winnipeggers are weighing in on a proposal to lower speed limits on residential streets to 40 km/hour. Danton Unger has more.

Winnipeg’s Public Works committee has voted in favour of lobbying the province to amend its Highway Traffic Act, opening the door for reduced speed limits on residential streets.

The motion was moved by Coun. Markus Chambers (St. Norbert-Seine River) and passed unanimously. It will now move forward to the executive policy committee and council.

The Public Service had recommended the city ask the province to amend the Highway Traffic Act, which would allow the city to change its default speed limit on residential streets.

If the city gets the green light from the province, it would then be up to council to decide what that default speed would be—either it remains the same, or drop down to 40 km/h or 30 km/h.

The public service recommends a drop to 40 clicks, noting this could be implemented quickly, requiring fewer signs, while still keeping a distinction from school zone areas.

It pointed to a recent study out of Edmonton that found a drop to 40 km/h led to a 25 per cent reduction in overall collisions.

Coun. Janice Lukes, chair of the public works committee, said while she doesn’t believe there is enough support on council to drop speeds to 30 km/h, she plans to vote in favour of a 40 km/h default speed.

“It takes 18 seconds more to go 40 versus 50,” she said.

However, any change hinges on the province’s approval.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Lisa Naylor said her priority is to keep Manitobans safe while ensuring any changes are practical and well informed.

“We remain open to discussions with municipal partners and will consider the evidence, public safety impacts and stakeholder input before making any decisions,” Naylor said in a statement to CTV News.

At committee on Wednesday, dozens of Winnipeggers of all ages weighed in.

Noah Simeone, 10, spoke as a delegation with his dad. He said he’s already had some close calls on city streets.

“Cars were zooming by us so fast. It was really scary when cars do that,” he said.

St. James-Assiniboia resident Kelly Ryback presented at the public hearing and highlighted a list of roads in the area where a 40 km/hr speed limit would not work.

“If you drive 40, you’re getting passed and saluted frequently. I’ve tried it. It doesn’t work. It’s going to create road rage and unsafe issues,” Ryback said.

“The report is incomplete,” he said adding that complete cost estimates and decisions from Winnipeg Transit and police were not included.

Meanwhile, others felt the city should go further.

“This will do essentially nothing to improve the safety in our neighbourhood street,” said Rachael Alguire, who was opposed to a 40 km/h default speed limit. “This process should be expedited by presenting a city bylaw to decrease all residential streets to 30 km an hour immediately.”

A city report notes, even with the province’s approval, it could take about a year to implement the change. But Lukes said all that depends on the province.

“That’s a debate that won’t happen until we hear from the province,” she said. “I encourage anyone who’s advocating for any speed limit change to speak to their MLA.”