City planners propose slashing speed limit on Queen Street

Traffic in downtown Sault Ste. Marie could be slowed to as little as 30 kilometres an hour if city planners get their way.

The idea was floated at a Tuesday-night public information session called to present updated proposals for a planned reconstruction of Queen Street from Pim to Gore.

If approved by city council, the work will begin next year.

The proposed new speed limit on Queen Street would be 30 or 40 kilometres an hour.

Here, as presented to more than 60 attendees at Tuesday's gathering at Mane Street Café, is the rationale for a 30 km/h downtown:

• 30 km/h streets are safe and healthy. 30 km/h streets protect all who use them, but especially the most vulnerable, like pedestrians, cyclists, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. 30 km/h streets where people and traffic mix help prevent road traffic deaths and promote physical activity
• 30 km/h streets are green. They are vital in efforts to shift to zero carbon mobility. Streets that promote safe walking and cycling can reduce car dependency and harmful vehicle emissions that contribute to climate change. To protect the environment, people need safe, low-speed streets that encourage sustainable transport choices
• 30 km/h streets are livable. Everyone benefits from low-speed streets, so that they not only survive, but also thrive. 30 km/h streets where people and traffic mix are streets for life. Lower vehicle speeds create a more comfortable environment for pedestrians and cyclists. Speed reductions encourage drivers to experience the downtown, instead of only passing through the area

"We've made some tweaks since the last open house," said Salvatore Marchese, junior city planner.

"One of those is the possibility of having the speed limit be 30 kilometres an hour, or 40. We just wanted to see what people had to say, are they open to that? Do they have a preference?" Marchese told SooToday.

"In general, the feedback has been that people would like to see a reduced speed limit. How much of a reduced speed limit, we're not certain yet. But they're open to the idea of a lower speed limit downtown."

Unless otherwise marked, the speed limit on Sault Ste. Marie streets is 50 km/h.

Ward 2 Coun. Lisa Vezeau-Allen, who attended the session on Tuesday night, said she personally prefers to drive 40 km/h when she's downtown.

"I'm conscious of people. I'm conscious of the stop lights. I'm conscious of the space between the stoplights. I will leave it to the experts, but personally I drive 40," Vezeau-Allen said.

In addition to Queen Street, the planned downtown reconstruction will also include East Street from Queen to Bay, and Spring Street from Queen to St. Mary’s River Drive.