A survey by the speed reduction team at the District of Squamish seeks community input to identify where speed reduction changes should be implemented and what speed limits would be most supported. This initiative aims to balance community safety concerns with efficient traffic flow.
The Downtown and Oceanfront area has emerged as a focal point for potential speed reductions in Squamish. Characterized by high-density, walkability, and mixed-use development, this area experiences significant traffic from vehicles and pedestrians. The presence of Squamish Elementary School and Howe Sound Secondary School further underscores the need for careful speed management, with current school zone limits set at 30 km/h, the district says.
Previous community input revealed that 67% of perceived road safety concerns were within 10 meters of a collector road. The district says this feedback and ICBC Crash Data highlight significant safety issues across both road types.
Earlier this year, residents were invited to pinpoint locations of safety concerns related to vehicle speeds. The responses indicated that 32% were worried about collector roads, and nearly half were near local roads. The District of Squamish emphasizes that community feedback is essential to establishing speed limits that enhance safety without compromising traffic efficiency. The survey responses will guide the project team in finding the “just right zone” between speed and safety for Squamish.
Non-highway roads within the District of Squamish are divided into local and collector roads. Local roads serve residential neighborhoods and small commercial areas, designed for lower speeds to provide direct access to homes, schools, parks, and businesses. Collector roads are crucial for managing traffic flow, linking neighbourhoods to major routes like Highway 99, and balancing residential access with efficient traffic movement.
Ihor Zalubniak says
Speed bumps or “sleeping policemen” as I have heard it referred to.
Emm Fickle says
Speed bumps are a sign of an ignorant citizenry who are unwilling to obey the law. What is wrong with the people in the Garibaldi Highlands that they cannot just slow down and obey the law? They drive poorly up there so need speed bumps.
Alex says
It would have been helpful to have been told where accidents have occurred in Squamish to get a picture of the zones of danger. Or to get rid of the myths
The speed limit on Highway 99 south of Depot Road two the lights at CIBC should be increased to 100 and give the police a break from their hides hole.
Jim says
No point in doing anything if there is no plans to enforce the changes.
Chris says
My concern is that the “speed reduction team” will be wasting a whole bunch more time and money on a predetermined conclusion that they are trying to justify with “community input,” maybe the DOS could put some more effort into real problems with our road safety other than only focusing on speed. Last week, for example, when the downtown area was gridlock due to work on the railway crossing ….maybe some investigation and action on a second entrance to Downtown. Oh yeah, they have been “investigating” that forever but it’s easier to create and study imaginary problems than to actually fix real problems. Most days, speed is not a factor due to the increasing pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic volume. How many people drive at the posted speed of 60, 70, or 80 on the highway … not many… where the RCMP try occasionally to enforce it? Maybe it’s time to look at intersection safety … many corners with Stop signs have such poor sight lines ( eg. vegetation, fences, parked vehicles …) that a vehicle has to be well into the lane before approaching traffic can be seen. Try safely walking, riding, pushing a child carrier or riding a mobility scooter down Loggers Lane from the railway crossing to the fancy new road to the waterfront mini park …the only ‘safe” area is from Victoria to Vancouver Street on one side of the road. Try walking, riding etc. in the South end of the industrial park …. Speed reductions are meaningless without enforcement and we all know that is not going to happen in Squamish. There are lots of roads in this town that are in rough shape with dips and sunken manhole covers that help reduce speed now. The track crossing at the Yacht club is an example of non existent road maintenance for at least a year or more with the potholes getting bigger and deeper yet they find the money to grade the gravel parking lot near the boat launch! No speed problem here! If there is an identified real problem area, my suggestion is to install speed bumps which has been mentioned already. That might cause some concerns for the snow plow drivers versus wasting more money ( DOS is good at that!) by putting signs up all over the place which will have minimal effect and enforcement on the perceived problems with speed… of course, another study will likely be created to see if that action was justified. Try driving the school zones after hours or when school is out and there is always somebody driving at reduced speed and sometimes when speeding happens there is an RCMP member watching. Instead of trying to save the world it would be nice for DOS to start looking after OUR world in a realistic way. If there is a problem … fix it … instead of studying it forever.
Ped Estrian says
If this speed reduction proposal is to protect those who ride bicycles may I suggest some enforcement of existing laws pertaining to those riders might make us all a little safer on the streets. Constantly attempting to only govern the drivers, while letting bike riders do whatever they want simply because Council loves a bike rider, doesn’t work well.
I’m tired of dodging bike riders on the sidewalks, I’m tired of them coming up behind me/passing me on the sidewalk, I’m tired of bike riders blowing through stop signs, I’m tired of bike riders using the crosswalks while still on their bikes. I don’t think I’ve seen a bike rider signal their intention to turn in years. If Council wants the downtown to have a high walkability score, Council needs to deal with the chaos the bike riders are causing. Riders need to stop feeling so entitled to impede vehicles while they ride 3 abreast on our streets. It would be nice to hear that fines are being issued to a bike rider.