Reduced Highway 19A speed limit through Nanaimo starts Monday

CHEK
WatchThe speed limit on Highway 19A through Nanaimo will be reduced from 80 km/h to 70 km/h.

In an effort to improve safety, the BC Government has announced they will be reducing the speed limit on Highway 19A through Nanaimo.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced in a press release Wednesday that it will be lowering the limits in the shopping district at the north end of Nanaimo from 80 to 70 km/h.

The new limit will kick into effect as of Monday, March 16, 2020.

According to the ministry, the 70km/h limit will start just south of Enterprise Road and continue on through to the Highway 19/Highway 19A junction.

“This is a section of highway with multiple business entrances and exits, including access to the shopping destinations, Woodgrove Centre and Costco Wholesale,” reads a statement from the Ministry.

The decision to reduce limits on this particular stretch of the highway was made following extensive monitoring, said the BC Government.  On top of monitoring, the government carried out consultations with the City of Nanaimo, RCMP, Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement and ICBC in order to make their decision.

The release reads, “reducing the highway speed limit will help lower the chance of collisions for people entering and leaving the highway along this commercial corridor.”

There is an intersection safety camera  located at the Highway 19/Aulds Road-Hammond Bay Road intersection and in the future it will be using a speed-enforcement functionality, but authorities have decided to deactivate it for the next five months in order to drivers to adjust to the new limit.

The camera does, however, have a red-light function that will remain operating.

The rest of the Highway 19A corridor will retain their existing posted speed limits.

CHEK NewsCHEK News

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!