LAURIE WEIR
Rideau Lakes municipal services committee has approved traffic calming measures for Chaffey’s Lock, opting to request Parks Canada to purchase a digital speed sign while township staff complete the installation.
At the Monday, March 23 municipal services committee meeting, staff presented three options to address safety concerns raised by Parks Canada over vehicle speeds near the lock station. Council selected Option 2, which involves reducing the speed limit and installing a digital speed sign at no cost to the township.
Parks Canada staff expressed concerns about vehicles crossing the locks at high speeds, endangering workers and pedestrians. Township staff met onsite to discuss solutions, which included speed reductions and new signage.
Under the approved plan, the speed limit will be lowered from 50 km/h to 20 km/h between 1752 and 1776 Opinicon Rd. It will remain at 50 km/h from 1776 Opinicon Rd. to Indian Lake Rd., where there is high pedestrian and cycling traffic from the Cataraqui Trail. A digital speed sign will be installed between 1752 and 1776 Opinicon Rd. to alert drivers as they approach the locks.
Staff also explored the possibility of installing speed bumps or humps, which would be temporary and removed in the fall for snow removal. However, council opted against this measure, as it would have required additional budget considerations of $4,000 to $5,300.
Several years ago, a temporary speed bump was installed at this location but was stolen after only a few days.
The digital speed sign installation was approved and will move forward following final council approval.
