New road signs with lower speed limits will start appearing in Esquimalt this week as the township moves to lower speed limits to 40 km/h on major roads and 30 km/h on neighbourhood and residential streets.
The speed limit on major roads was previously 50 km/h.
Township staff will begin installing new speed limit signs on major roads, collector roads and school zones, Esquimalt said in a statement.
“Higher speeds contribute to an increased risk of serious injuries and fatalities by reducing driver reaction time, increasing the vehicle stopping distance, and inflicting more severe trauma on victims upon impact,” it said, adding that lowering the speed limit is important in creating a “pedestrian and bike-friendly environment.”
The entire process is expected to take about three years, according to a staff report.
Esquimalt Road, Admirals Road, Tillicum Road and Craigflower Road will be the first to receive the new speed limit signs.
Signs in schools and playground zones, as well as residential collector streets, will have priority next year, with signage on lower-traffic residential roads to follow the year after that.
Exceptions to the standard include the section of Colville Road between Admirals Road and Tillicum Road, and Tillicum Road between Transfer Street and Colville Road with a 40 km/h limit, while the sections of Admirals Road and Lampson Street between Esquimalt Road and Lyall Street will have a limit of 30 km/h.
The move, part of Esquimalt’s active transportation strategy, follows similar steps in Victoria and Saanich and received unanimous approval from council in June 2023.
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