Centre Wellington approves speed reductions on several roads

CENTRE WELLINGTON – Lower speed limits are coming to several roads across the township. 

Approved at a Centre Wellington council meeting Monday evening, one of the changes will see flashing 40 km/h signs added to St. David Street North between Woodhill Drive and Parkside Drive in Fergus to accommodate busy school traffic. A 40 km/h speed limit will be in effect from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Speed limits on Union Street West from Tower Street to the beginning of South River Road will be reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h while South River Road's posted speed limit will be reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h from the end of Union Street West to east of Haylock Avenue. 

In rural Centre Wellington, Seventh Line, 300 metres north of Sideroad 30 to Sideroad 30, will be lowered from 80 km/h to 50 km/h due to a future bridge rehabilitation. 

A previous pilot program found average speed limits decreased by approximately four kilometres over a year, which staff said demonstrated "the potential to influence driver behaviour and reduce vehicle speeds. 

When asked about enforcement at the meeting, the township's manager of engineering Adam Gilmour said they're in talks with the OPP. 

Coun. Lisa MacDonald also suggested the township consider making all residential neighbourhoods 40 km/hour which Gilmour said is definitely something they can consider. 

"We want to implement (speed reductions) in areas where we think it's going to be effective," said Gilmour. "It's one step amongst others- one tool and a tool kit for implementing traffic calming, trying to reduce speeds so we are trying to take a measured approach to it." 

As new speed signs are needed to implement the update, signs are proposed to be purchased and installed this winter and spring 2025. 

Township staff recommended additional areas be considered for 40 km/hr neighbourhoods through the Annual Speed Limit and Traffic Calming Review process every April.

Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.