Slowing Down the Streets of St. John's: A Controversial Move?
The City of St. John's is taking bold steps to address speeding concerns, but this initiative is not without its critics.
Last year, the city implemented speed cushions on Glenerye Street, Empire Avenue, and Smithville Crescent. These measures were part of a trial to evaluate their effectiveness in calming traffic.
After gathering resident feedback through surveys, the city has decided to make the speed cushions on Smithville Crescent and Empire Avenue permanent. But here's where it gets interesting: not everyone is on board with this decision.
The city is now planning to expand these traffic-calming measures to five additional areas, including streets in Goulds, Kenmount Terrace, and the east end. This expansion aims to create a safer environment for all road users.
However, the introduction of temporary speed bumps and cushions has sparked debate among residents. Some argue that these measures are necessary to reduce speeding and enhance safety, especially in residential areas. Others, however, express concerns about the potential impact on emergency response times and the overall driving experience.
To keep the community informed, the city has released a list of locations where temporary speed bumps or cushions will be installed. You can find this list on VOCM dot com. Here's a sneak peek at some of the upcoming installations:
- Old Bay Bulls Road, from Elliott's Road to Rosemarkie Street
- Great Eastern Avenue, between Iceland Place and Ladysmith Drive
- Middleton Street, from Harding Road to Newfoundland Drive
- Parsons Road, Ennis Ave to Logy Bay Road 3
- Heffernan's Line, Back Line to Main Road
These temporary installations will be in place this spring, allowing the city to gather data and assess their effectiveness.
So, what do you think? Are these traffic-calming measures a necessary step towards safer streets, or do they create more problems than they solve? Share your thoughts in the comments below! We'd love to hear your perspective on this ongoing debate.
