City Hall recommends 40 km/h speed limit in Saskatoon

Saskatoon drivers may have to get used to driving slower on Saskatoon streets.

City administration has recommended lowering the speed limit on most residential streets from 50 kilometres per hour to 40 km/h, according to a report tabled Monday at a meeting of the city’s standing policy committee on transportation.

“It will improve traffic safety resulting in less severe injuries and fatalities and improve quality of life by lowering vehicle noise and increasing the perception of safety within neighbourhoods,” the report stated.

The report also suggests dropping the speed limit would encourage physical activity by providing equity for people walking and cycling.

City council was presented with three options: Lower the speed limit to 30 km/h, 40 km/h or keep the status quo. The latter was the preferred option among survey respondents.

The recommendation of a lower speed limit also includes higher traffic roads the city calls “collectors” such as Victoria Avenue and Junor Avenue.

“They have similar characteristics as local streets in terms of pedestrian activity, driveways, parking, and single–family homes,” said the report. “The anticipated impact to driving times on collector streets is minimal and is outweighed by the safety benefits.”

The current speed limit in the city is 50 km/h for most residential areas except for Montgomery Place, which has had the 40 km/h speed limit since 2016.

The city estimates changing signage will cost between $400,000 and $600,000 with additional costs for education and advertising.

The report will head back to the next transportation committee meeting in September before going to city council for a final decision.

The cities of Edmonton and Calgary recently dropped their speed limit to 40 km/h.