Leadfoots beware. Barrie streets will have more permanent speed bumps this year.
City council has added $100,000 to the budget this year, and again in 2022, to construct new, permanent speed bumps.
“How many complaints do ward councillors get about traffic issues?” asked Coun. Mike McCann. “Everyone said the No. 1 issue the city of Barrie has right now, with maybe the exception of Ward 2, is speed on our streets.”
The idea is to add two additional locations for permanent speed bumps per Barrie ward. City staff would also report back before the end of February 2021 on the use of concrete versus asphalt for the permanent speed bumps, including costs and durability.
There was already $200,000 in the budget, for each of 2021 and 2022 from the tax capital reserve, for permanent concrete speed bumps to provide a year-round detriment to speeders, with two concrete speed bumps in each ward.
Where the new, permanent speed bumps would be located would be a decision for each councillor and staff.
“The answer is ward-by-ward you can make that decision yourselves,” McCann said. “Just remember… it costs more to install the speed cushions than the actual speed cushions themselves (cost).”
“This is needed, this is necessary,” said Coun. Natalie Harris of the speed bumps.
The temporary ones are called cushions; they are rubber so they might slightly cushion while vehicles go over them. The permanent ones, made of concrete or asphalt, will have zero cushion so are called speed bumps.
This new funding does not directly impact this year’s tax increase, which stands at 0.92 per cent for Barrie homeowners.
“This would come from reserve funds, so it wouldn’t affect the tax rate,” said Coun. Gary Harvey.
The city’s traffic-calming strategy includes installing physical measures to alter bad driving habits. This reduces speeds on neighbourhood roads and enhances safety, along with livability.
Last year, the city offered an interactive map that residents could use to select a preferred location for speed cushions to be installed. The information was then shared with the ward councillors, who in turn discuss the feasibility of the preferred locations.
