How district can stop speeding on Highlands Way North

The problem of speeding on Highlands Way North has left our entire neighbourhood frustrated.

On a recent Monday, I called the police to report speeding in the neighbourhood. The officer who attended found that more than half the drivers were going over the speed limit.

In fact, the residents are now going to be setting up a schedule to call the police once a week because speeding is a challenge, perhaps all over town, but most certainly in our neighbourhood.

But there are ways that I think the District of Squamish can address that challenge.

In the five years that I have lived at Highlands Way North, there have been three traffic changes.

The stop sign at Highlands Way North and Portree Way was removed and turned into a merge zone. This has allowed vehicles going west down Highlands Way North to carry their speed through the corner—and often on the ‘sidewalk.’

Then there was the introduction of the school zone banners in the middle of the street.

From what I have seen, this nudges the vehicles closer to pedestrians as they cannot travel in the traffic lane.  Interestingly enough, the sign that leads into the dangerous merge has been missing for some time.

Third, the “Community Hub” was created, which encouraged more traffic into the neighbourhood. I have even seen the local buses speeding, and I know this because I have measured their speed on my iPhone app.

I don’t expect this speeding culture to change over night, but something must change. With incremental changes, we can make the speed zone a place that is actually safe for kids.

I have a few suggestions to make.

The district should consider removing the merge lane at Highland Way North and Portree Way. This used to have a stop sign and its removal has only meant more speeding.

There is no curb, and due to the merge lane, now you have locals looking left with kids walking on the right. The district also must consider closing Pitlochry Way at Pia Road.

Residents of Jay Crescent area use the Highlands Way North to Pitlochry Way as an access route. This route, however, has seven bends in it with limited visibility. It also has a school zone and no sidewalks.

As a resident, I believe sending traffic one block to Perth Drive and the Boulevard Drive seems to be a better idea with an access road and road shoulders, and only one turn in a well controlled intersection.

Then there is the option of limiting access points to Garibaldi Highlands Elementary School. The district could consider blocking Highlands Way North so only cars traveling east can access the school.

Another suggestion I have is to adjust the school zone to a playground zone, and to place speed bumps although it is the least desirable option in my mind.

I am happy to gather more evidence and data for this project for the District of Squamish staff. The residents want to get moving on this as soon as possible for as the weather gets better, the speed is going to get higher in our neighbourhood.

Sean Frith has lived in Garibaldi Highlands for five years.