Drivers and pedestrians travelling along Deerfoot Trail will notice new traffic calming devices, but not everyone is welcoming them.
According to the Town of Huntsville, the pilot project is aimed at reducing traffic speed and ensuring pedestrian safety. Town staff will monitor traffic to determine the impact and future feasibility of the project.
Meanwhile, this publication has received a call from an area resident concerned about the traffic calming devices and questioning why area residents were not consulted.
According to Planning Council Chair Bob Stone, anyone with concerns is advised to get in touch with their council representative or go before council as a delegation to express the reason for their opposition to the pilot project.
Councillor Monty Clouthier said he’s received calls on the issue and is surprised at the reaction. He said the Town has heard many complaints over the years about speeding traffic on Deerfoot Trail, particularly as it is used as a shortcut by some. He said residents have complained that they don’t feel safe walking on the road.
Clouthier said various options were looked at. “We just don’t have the police force, and even if we lowered the speed limit, they’re still going to speed. Lowering the speed is not going to deter them from speeding. There are a lot of residents in the area who are afraid to walk, and kids who live there. This led to a system that we encountered through Operations. We decided to give it a try there, it’s inexpensive,” said Clouthier. “Silver Street is getting them and there are other places that we are looking at, and I just can’t understand why residents are so upset…”
Asked about concerns related to emergency vehicles getting through, Clouthier said it’s an engineered system with standard widths. “I mean, these systems are used all over the province. This is not a new thing, so I mean, there is no problem with emergency vehicles going through. One of the residents up there even drove a dump truck through it the other day, and he said it was tight, but he got through… what if we take them down and a child gets hit there next week?”
Clouthier said the speed controls are not there to ruin the neighbourhood, “they are there for the betterment of the neighbourhood.”
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I’m all for them don’t get me wrong but just like in the city they will slow down just to get through and speed up again or they drive through a couple times to gage where they have to be and fly through them. I have seen it I lived in the city. Speed bumps in low km areas maybe a better solution.
We are very grateful to the town for these initiatives! Steps taken in the name of safety for ALL are steps in the right direction! The impact of these measures to slow down and calm traffic was immediate and noticeable. Once again, thank you Town of Huntsville for your proactive decision in this regard…mission accomplished!
What a wonderful idea!! I have been asking for such devices for many years and hope that the council sees fit to put them on John Street. There is a blind corner at Menomonee and Elm, where Menomonee meets Elm and John Street, that needs a stop sign , before the tragedy of Brunel and High street is repeated. Readers will recall that a resident was killed Council should be aware that there are always going to be individuals that for one reason or another do not appreciate the benefits of traffic calming devices. Research shows that these devices work and they are now standard in all large cities in residential areas, both in Canada and abroad. Traffic calming keeps people honest as they adhere to the posted speed limits that are there for safety and noise considerations and for the security of pedestrians and cyclists. John Street is a particularly busy Street where residential meets commercial . There is a large population of individuals who use assistive mobility devices that need to cross the road and use the sidewalks to get around. Traffic calming helps keep down the noise and deters unwanted vehicles, such as loud motorcycles and commercial trucks. The population of Huntsville is growing, and as part of the towns mandate density is increasing in core areas. In order to make these areas liveable, town needs to be thinking along the same lines as larger centers if it wishes to keep up the quality of life for residence as we grow our population. As resident of John Street I would be extremely grateful if it would be considered as a as part of a pilot project.
The speed reduction markers have noticeably reduced traffic speeding on Deerfoot Trail. The effect has been immediate and has occurred both at the marker placement location, and beyond along the street in general, an intriguing side benefit. It is worth noting that autos can pass through the markers at about 40 kph and large trucks at about 30 kph, thus slowing but not stopping traffic flow. As a direct result pedestrian safety has been increased and community interaction will likely be enhanced as people become used to utilising the street again for human activities. An attendant bonus is that property values are likely to increase as noted by consultation with a long-time local realtor, just as they have in the many other municipalities where similar markers are being used. People simply value safe residential streets more than fast ones. One of the three pillars of the Town of Huntsville’s mission statement is to enhance safety, this current initiative is a good step in that direction. It is perhaps also worth noting that while not a large benefit slower traffic does offer environmental benefits through reduced fuel consumption and fewer emissions.
Snow plowing is a serious concern for all of us here in Huntsville. But let’s be clear: these traffic calming devices on Deerfoot Trail are designed to improve safety and quality of life in our community, not make things harder. I’ve seen them removed before winter begins, I suspect that will be the case here so not to worry!
I know it’s frustrating when changes affect your daily drive, but these measures are expected to make our streets safer for everyone—drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike. If you feel strongly, it might be best to engage with council directly or join public consultations when they happen.
Instead of criticizing, let’s collaborate for a greater future.
Any time that we can try initiatives aimed at reducing excessive speeding with the intent of making all streets safer then such efforts should be applauded. If there is an inconvenience then it is a minor one. Thanks to the Town for taking the initiative with this pilot program. Wish one had been placed on my hill on Deerfoot Trail where speeding is a far too regular occurrence.
I am a resident on Deerfoot Trail, and I must admit I was a little skeptical when 3 of these devices suddenly appeared on the street. However, after a little research I found that this a common type of speed calming device used across North America. The alternatives are more onerous. And we would all regret doing nothing if a serious accident should occur. So, I too commend the town for taking this initiative. Let’s work together to refine the design and make it work.
I think this is a good inexpensive option to pilot in order to reduce the excessive speeding on our roads. A pilot project means that we are trying it out to see if it works or if we like it. We definitely do not have the police force to deal with this. Photo radar would be even more effective (but expensive), if it were allowed. People need to slow down. It is getting out of control. Especially on blind hills and corners. It is only a matter of time before someone else is killed at the end of Brunel at High Street. I walk by there all year and some cars fly over that hill. There should definitely be a ‘no crossing’ pedestrian sign there.
Residents of Woodland Heights have asked the town for more than a decade to assist in
reducing the speed of traffic on Deerfoot Trail which is the main feeder roadway in the community. Woodland Heights was built with no sidewalks and the combination of excessive speed of vehicles and large construction trucks makes it quite dangerous for the many residents who walk on these streets. Maybe there should have been some consultation with the community BUT I applaud the town for listening to years of feedback on this issue. More and more communities are using these devices to force vehicle speed reduction – the system works as drivers visually think the spacing is too narrow but that is not the case. Thanks to the town taking pedestrian safety seriously – if the signs save one life it is worth the inconvenience of residents getting used to navigating the system.
They will be removed in winter, according to Councillor Clouthier.
The town can’t even plow this road properly without these things in the middle of the road, what exactly is going to happen when the snow falls.
The MTO specifies minimum lane widths for roadways, with typical lanes being 3.5 meters wide. However, in restrictive urban conditions or on low-speed highways, lane widths can be reduced to 3.25 meters. I highly doubt these are even legal and I will be contacting the MTO for them to investigate.
We really need to get rid of the entire council and replace them with people with a clue…