Drivers will soon need to ease off the gas along a popular stretch of Gellatly Road in West Kelowna.
At its July 8 meeting, city council voted to lower the speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h between Boucherie Road and Gellatly Road South. The busy corridor that connects parks, beaches, trails and the West Kelowna Yacht Club.
Staff had recommended a 40 km/h limit, based on a review by a third-party traffic consultant. But council opted to go even lower, citing safety concerns for pedestrians, children and beachgoers.
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Several councillors pushed for a lower limit to reflect how the road is actually used, not just by vehicles, but by people on foot and bikes.
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Coun. Garrett Millsap agreed.
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Staff noted that the current playground advisory signs suggesting 30 km/h aren't enforceable, and national guidelines discourage using playground zones on major roads. The proposed 40 km/h signs would have been enforceable, staff said, but most councillors felt that didn香蕉视频直播檛 go far enough.
香蕉视频直播淏y changing it to an enforceable 40 km/h, we香蕉视频直播檙e actually going backwards, especially around the parks, Coun. Jason Friesen said, referencing the unenforceable 30 km/h signs.
Mayor Gord Milsom said he understood the push for lower speeds, but raised questions about possible traffic impacts farther up the road.
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The new enforceable 30 km/h speed limit is expected to come into effect within the next few weeks. Installation of new signs will cost around $10,000 and be funded from the city香蕉视频直播檚 existing signage budget.
The stretch of road sees heavy pedestrian traffic during the summer months, with angle parking, playgrounds, informal parking areas and several public amenities nearby.
Staff also plan to review other locations in West Kelowna where unenforceable playground speed signs are posted. Further recommendations on enforceable speed limits in those areas will come to council later.
