Traffic control signs are going up on Hamilton Drive in Bearspaw in an effort to reduce speeding.
During the Infrastructure and Operations meeting, Nov. 20, council agreed to purchase and install electronic vehicle-activated traffic control signs for both east and westbound traffic for the two-lane paved collector road servicing a residential area and the Bearspaw Golf and Country Club.
The signs, activated by vehicles, will tell drivers how fast they are travelling on the road with a posted speed limit of 50 km/h.
Deputy Reeve Paul McLean agreed with the plan, saying it gives drivers a warning about their speed.
“My kids say, ‘boy Dad, you’re going the right speed,’” he said of his experience coming across them in other places.
Last August, County staff conducted a survey after receiving complaints from two residents who were concerned about speeding along that stretch of road.
Staff conducted a five-day traffic analysis using the County’s trailer-mounted electronic speed awareness signage that tells motorists driving by how fast they are travelling. They did a seven-day survey later without the sign.
The findings show the majority of traffic travels 10 km over the limit when the sign is there. The majority travel 10 to 20 km over when there is no sign.
Between Oct. 18 and 31 of this year, residents were asked to complete an online survey. The results from 25 participants showed 60 per cent were in favour of the electronic signs, 28 were against and 12 per cent had other suggestions.
Councillor Al Sacuta said the benefit of the sign is they aren’t permanent and can be moved to another area at a later date if council learns there is speeding problems elsewhere. He also said he liked the idea of the sign better than speed bumps because the bumps can cause problems with snowploughs in the winter.
