Corporate Report Report from Transportation and Environmental Services, Operations Date of Report: October 11, 2016 Date of Meeting: November 7, 2016 Report Number: TES-298-2016 File: 77.37.99 Subject: Third Street Louth - Speed Limit Reduction Recommendation That Council approve a speed limit reduction from 60 km/h to 50 km/h on Third Street Louth between Hutton Street and South Service Road; and That the City Solicitor be requested to prepare the necessary by-law. FORTHWITH Background Staff have received a request for a reduction in the speed limit on Third Street Louth from 60 km/h to 50 km/h. Recognizing recent changes in area traffic patterns due to the 2013 Niagara Health System - St. Catharines Site opening and temporary closure of the Seventh Street Louth structure over the QEW, a speed limit review for Third Street Louth was undertaken. Report Third Street Louth from the South Service Road to Fourth Avenue is a two lane rural arterial road. The road width varies from approximately 6.5 to 7.0 metres. The traffic volume is approximately 4500 vehicles per day. The roadside environment is a mix of residential and agricultural uses, with the residential frontage being concentrated north of Hutton Street to Third Avenue Louth. Recent development in the area and temporary closure of the Seventh Street Louth structure over the QEW has transitioned the road to a more arterial function. Along with higher traffic volumes, a more diverse mix of traffic including pedestrians and cyclists has been noted. Third Street Louth between Fourth Avenue Louth and the South Service Road has seen the implementation of bike sharrow pavement markings, and it is a signed connecting bicycle route between the Waterfront Trail (Regional Road 87/Lakeshore Road) and the Greenbelt Cycling Route (Regional Road 81/St. Paul Street West). The section of Third Street Louth between Fourth Avenue and Lakeshore Road is currently the subject of a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) being undertaken by the City. The EA is examining potential options to provide improved facilities for Report Page 1 of 2 pedestrians and cyclists. The results of the EA may identify future roadway improvements through this section, however that process is not complete. A public meeting will be held, likely in November or December of this year. In consideration of the above factors, staff are recommending a reduction in the posted speed limit from 60 km/h to 50 km/h (see Appendix 1 for map). The roadside environment north of Hutton Street to President Court is more heavily residential. This speed limit reduction would provide consistency with the section of Third Street Louth directly north to Lakeshore Road, which has primarily residential frontage and a 50 km/h speed limit. In conjunction with the recommended changes to the speed limit, Staff will notify the Niagara Regional Police Service and request enhanced speed enforcement through this section. Financial Implications The removal of existing 60 km/h signs and replacement with 50 km/h signs will cost approximately $500. These costs will be funded through the Annual Operating Budget (Traffic Safety Devices). Prepared by: Peter Leyser Transportation Technologist Submitted by: Brian Applebee C.E.T., TOPS Manager of Transportation Services Approved by: Dan Dillon, P. Eng. Director, Transportation and Environmental Services Report Page 2 of 2 1 ONTARIO ST ONTARIO ONTARIO ST MARTINDALE RD HIGHWAY 406 HIGHWAY FOURTH AVENUE QUEEN ELIZABETH WAY ELIZABETH QUEEN GRAPEVIEW DR GRAPEVIEW Existing 50 km/h FIRST ST ERION RD ERION HENLEY ISLAND DR MARTINDALE RD MAIN STREET MAIN HIGHWAY 406 SOUTH SERVICE ROAD HUTTON ST PRESIDENT CRT COURTLEIGH RD THIRD STREET LOUTH THIRD STREET LOUTH PRESIDENT CRT PRESIDENT Existing 60 km/h Proposed Speed Reduction from 60 km/h to 50 km/h FOURTH AVENUE Third Street Louth THIRD AVENUE LOUTH QUEEN ELIZABETH WAY SECOND AVENUE LOUTH LAKESHORE ROAD WEST ROAD LAKESHORE FIFTH STREET LOUTH FIFTH STREET LOUTH Proposed Speed Limit Changes SOUTH SERVICE ROAD SECOND AVENUE LOUTH SEVENTH ST SEVENTH ST.