The District of Saanich has revealed that the speed limit along Prospect Lake Rd. in Saanich is slated to be reduced, starting this week.
According to the District, the speed limit will drop from 50 km/h to 30 km/h between Estelline Rd. and Goward Rd. in an attempt to improve safety.
The reduced speed limit will come into effect on Tuesday, December 1.
The District says that the altered speed limit was one of several improvement recommendations compiled for Prospect Lake Rd. following a safety review – conducted by Saanich, ICBC and McElhanney Ltd. – back in March.
The reason for the safety review is that the rural road, which spans between Burnside Rd and West Saanich Rd, has been the location of multiple fatal vehicle crashes over the past few years.
“In this review, we worked closely with residents, stakeholder groups, the community association and consultants. The outcome has been several recommendations and we are pleased about seeing the results of these improvements put to work in the community,” said Mayor Fred Haynes.
“Reducing speeds along this section of the corridor is an additional item to improve the safety and comfort of everybody on the road.”
Along with the reduced speed limits, the District of Saanich says it will be installing a centerline rumble strip south of Munn Rd.
A roadside barrier and single lane yield point will be added at Calvert Park.
Also, a major reconstruction of the West Saanich and Prospect Lake Rd. the intersection will be implemented to “provide fully protected pedestrian and cyclist crossings for Interurban trail users and to improve connectivity within the rural village,” according to the District.
In a press release issued on Monday, Saanich indicated that the Prospect Lake Rd. speed limit change is independent of the three-year pilot project to lower the default speed limit on residential roads. This project is aiming to reduce the speed on any road without a centre yellow line from 50 km/h to 40 km/h.
“We encourage all road users to be safe, courteous and to watch out for one another as we make these improvements,” added Mayor Haynes.
A full report of the safety review that occurred in March can be found here.
Graham Cox
