Proposed speed limit changes for some Saskatoon roads

Speed limits on some Saskatoon roads could be changing.

A report going to the city’s standing policy committee on transportation on Monday is recommending speed limit changes on eight sections of roadways.

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New speed limits are also being proposed for roads that are either new or about to have new traffic patterns.

Some of the changes include setting the speed limit on College Drive from just east of Preston Avenue to east city limit at 80 km/h and reducing the speed limit to 50 km/h on Central Avenue from north of Somers Road to Agra Road.

A complete list of the recommendations can be found at the end of this story.

Most of the changes are due to the North Commuter Parkway project.

“Our objective is to establish speed limits that help keep the flow of traffic moving as quickly as possible,” Jay Magus, who is the city’s acting director of transportation, said in a release.

“The speed limits need to be reasonable based on the road classification and design so that drivers aren’t experiencing unnecessary frustration, but are also able to navigate the roadways at a speed that keeps them in control.”

READ MORE: Saskatoon to review neighbourhood traffic in 11 areas in 2017

The changes are also based on adjacent land use, reported driver behaviour and safety concerns.

Speed limit changes for existing roads will in place for Dec. 1 if approved by the committee.

Proposed/recommended speed limits:

1. Central Avenue from a point 220 metres north of Somers Road to Agra Road reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h;
2. Lowe Road from Agra Road to a point 800 metres north of Agra Road reduced from 80 km/h to 50 km/h;
3. McOrmond Drive from Fedoruk Drive to a point 800 metres east of Lowe Road reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h;
4. A speed limit of 60 km/h on Central Avenue from Agra Road to McOrmond Drive be established;
5. Lowe Road from a point 800 metres north of Agra Road to McOrmond Drive reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h;
6. A speed limit of 60 km/h on McOrmond Drive from a point 800 metres east of Lowe Road to Central Avenue be established;
7. Fedoruk Drive from Central Avenue to McOrmond Drive be increased from 50 km/h to 60 km/h;
8. A speed limit of 70 km/h on McOrmond Drive from Central Avenue to Wanuskewin Road be established;
9. Millar Avenue from 60th Street to 71st Street reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h;
10. Zimmerman Road from Highway No. 16 to a point 1,000 metres north of Highway No. 16 reduced from 80 km/h to 60 km/h;
11. 71st Street West from Thatcher Avenue west to the city limit be reduced from 90 km/h to 70 km/h; and
12. A speed limit of 80 km/h on College Drive from a point 100 metres east of Preston Avenue to the east city limit be established.