Ratepayers object to increased speed limit

By Sharon McLeay Times Contributor

Wheatland County recently increased speed limits on paved county roads to 100 kilometres (km) per hour. Staff said it would standardize speed limits throughout the county.
Four residents living along the road took exception to the speed and wrote letters to Wheatland County council on the matter.
“Although we are very thankful that Township Road 232 is paved, over the years it has created some concerns for those of us who live along the road. Most importantly the increased traffic and speed limit,” said Debbie Janzen, a Wheatland County ratepayer.
The county transportation department confirmed that traffic counts noted on Twp. Road 232 at Hammerhill near Gleichen, a half mile west of Highway 1, was 125 vehicles and 268 counted 5.5 miles east of Highway 817 per day. Reeve Amber Link gave data provided at the May 7 council meeting. The overall traffic count on the road ranges between 300 and 700 vehicles per day. There were concerns about approaches onto the road that are hidden. With increased speed and the given topography of the road, many were concerned about possible accidents that could occur. The road has hills and curves that may impede visibility and in the winter the road ices up. One ratepayer mentioned there are six school buses that pick up and drop off children on the road. The 100 km speed poses a danger to them, they said.
Link said she had been approached by agriculture producers about pulling equipment onto the road.
Councillor Scott Klassen said as a professional driver, he considered it is dangerous when semi-trucks and trailers are trying to cross a busy road or gain access to the highway.
“There are issues we are struggling with, we want to do the right thing and make it safe for everybody,” said Klassen.
Janzen said it would be helpful if just a part of the roadway speed limit was reduced.
“We don’t want it all the way down… just in our little section, where all the little hidden approaches are,” said Janzen.
Councillor Glenn Koester said council is responsible for approaches and that other stretches of road in the county have lower limits due to deer crossings, visibility, school buses, hidden intersections and people walking on the road. He said reviewing the engineering reports could let the council know if the road was built for a given speed limit.
Kris Permann, Wheatland County peace officer, suggested putting up discretionary speed signs which indicate to drivers they may be approaching areas with equipment crossing, school bus stoppage, wildlife crossing, or pedestrians and children playing.
“In my experience, discretionary signs and hidden approach signs do help, but the responsibility is on every party,” said Permann.
He suggested a larger format for those signs, so people recognize they are approaching a small community or potential hazards.
Link said more attention should be paid when road building to eliminate hazardous curves and hills.
Councillor Jason Wilson disagreed that reducing speed would result in motorists slowing down. He had support from several people in his district for the 100 km limit. He also was concerned about the county’s investment in paving the roads, just to reduce the speed on them.
“I don’t believe for us to be paving roads and just leave it at 80 km. It is not worth my while, or worth the million dollars per mile cost,” said Wilson.
Council decided to discuss the matter further in their Committee of the Whole meeting and requested more information from engineering staff about the road.
They requested cautionary signs be installed immediately and they would consider the speed limit changes at a later date.