The Municipality of North Grenville has implemented a community wide 40 km/h speed limit in the urban core of Kemptville. To facilitate this change, the Municipality will be utilizing Gateway Signage. This method of signage will include a 40 km/h “area begins” sign and a 40 km/h “area ends” sign at each entrance (gateway) and exit to the urban core.
The affected areas include from County Road 43 South to Concession Road, Somerville Road and Hurd St to the West, as well as Van Buren to Bridge St. and Wellington Road to the East. The Tempo Subdivision on dePencier Drive and the eQuinelle Subdivision off of County Road 44 have also been included.
At the June 16, 2020 Council meeting, the Public Works Department recommended to Council that the speed limit in Kemptville’s Urban Core be reduced from 50 km to 40 km/hr.
“Speed concerns have been among the top concerns expressed by residents in recent years,” said Mayor Nancy Peckford. “Given the significant growth in North Grenville, especially here in Kemptville, traffic patterns have changed. Reducing speeds where possible is one way we can advance road safety, alongside other tools. The next step will be to examine rural areas to see where a similar approach can be applied.”
”I’d like to express my thanks to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville for their collaboration and support given the number of Counties roads that are included here,” she added.
Gateway signage, in combination with a posted speed limit of 40 km/h, provides a consistent posting method, as well as a streamlined cost for signage. The cost for the purchase of gateway signage is estimated at $4,200, which was identified in the 2020 Public Works budget. All signage will be installed by the end of August.
“Other communities have successfully used the gateway signage approach to improve road safety,” added Councillor John Barclay, who has been an early champion of this initiative. “Rural estate subdivisions and hamlets that are not included in the current footprint will be considered in the next phase following public consultation,” added Councillor Barclay, Liaison for Public Works.
Many of the roads through the rural parts of North Grenville are managed by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. Speed limits are currently posted at 50 km/hr through the main streets of the rural estate subdivisions and hamlets.
A public consultation on speed limits for the rural hamlets will be set for late Fall.