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.
鈥淚t has been a long process. We have tried to use some national guidelines to post speeds,鈥� said Norm McInnis, chief administrative officer.
The map shows three significant changes.
鈥淚f 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,鈥� said McInnis.
鈥淎 portion of that used to be 50 km/h on Highway 27.鈥�
Town administration is recommending that the school zone on 54 Street with a crosswalk leading to the back of 脡cole Olds Elementary School be closed.
鈥淚t does not fit the criteria for a school zone so we are suggesting that it gets closed,鈥� said McInnis.
Town administration believes the school zone on 57 Avenue deserves the same fate.
鈥淚t has some improper reduced speed zones,鈥� said McInnis.
鈥淭hat now is proposed to become a school area as well, not a reduced speed zone.鈥�
The consultations and open house have also helped identify a troubled traffic zone at the corner of 48 Avenue and Highway 27.
鈥淥ne 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,鈥� said McInnis.
鈥淲e 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.鈥�
Residents have until Jan. 15, 2012 to submit comments and feedback regarding the proposed speed zone changes.
鈥淚 am hoping that people will give us some comments,鈥� said McInnis.
鈥淲e have had some responses already. We received two responses and both have been really positive and supportive of the suggested changes.鈥�
In January, town administration will take the final map to council for approval.
鈥淭hen, Alberta Transportation has the final authority over the two highways, so those are the two approving bodies that will make ultimate decisions,鈥� said McInnis.
