After consultations with the Olds RCMP detachment, Alberta Sheriffs, Alberta Transportation and the public at an open house last January, Town of Olds has unveiled a map detailing proposed new speed zones.
“It has been a long process. We have tried to use some national guidelines to post speeds,” said Norm McInnis, chief administrative officer.
The map shows three significant changes.
“If we start in the west side of town, you will see that there is a 60 km/h proposed speed zone, right from the west boundary of town to 57 Avenue,” said McInnis.
“A portion of that used to be 50 km/h on Highway 27.”
Town administration is recommending that the school zone on 54 Street with a crosswalk leading to the back of École Olds Elementary School be closed.
“It does not fit the criteria for a school zone so we are suggesting that it gets closed,” said McInnis.
Town administration believes the school zone on 57 Avenue deserves the same fate.
“It has some improper reduced speed zones,” said McInnis.
“That now is proposed to become a school area as well, not a reduced speed zone.”
The consultations and open house have also helped identify a troubled traffic zone at the corner of 48 Avenue and Highway 27.
“One of the real sore spots that we have is we used to have playground zone by Craig's Corner Memorial. Alberta Transportation took the signs down and made the change from playground zone to a playground area some time ago but a lot of people still think it is a reduced speed zone, but it is not,” said McInnis.
“We replaced the fence there and we put the fence on the east and west side of that playground quite a way back so that it now fits the criteria where it is not a reduced speed zone. It is a 50 km/h zone, not a 30 km/h zone.”
Residents have until Jan. 15, 2012 to submit comments and feedback regarding the proposed speed zone changes.
“I am hoping that people will give us some comments,” said McInnis.
“We have had some responses already. We received two responses and both have been really positive and supportive of the suggested changes.”
In January, town administration will take the final map to council for approval.
“Then, Alberta Transportation has the final authority over the two highways, so those are the two approving bodies that will make ultimate decisions,” said McInnis.
