Lower speed limits could soon be in place along dozens of Toronto streets thanks to new provincial legislation.
The legislation gives the City of Toronto the ability to “create zones with reduced speed limits.”
As well, the legislation allows municipalities to introduce photo radar in school zones and streamlines the process for municipalities that wish to install red light cameras at intersections.
Announcing the legislation at Northlea Public School on Thursday, which is near the Leaside intersection where six-year-old Georgia Walsh was struck and killed by a vehicle two years ago, Premier Kathleen Wynne said that the hope is that the initiatives will convince drivers to slow down.
“I know that this community in particular has dealt with the tragedy of a young girl being killed on the streets. It is our responsibility to find ways to make sure that never happens again,” Wynne said.
Toronto intends to lower speed limits at 54 different locations
This past summer, Toronto city council voted unanimously in favour of an $80-million, five-year road safety plan.
The plan, among other initiatives, proposed lowering speed limits along 54 corridors, many of which are in the downtown core. .
On Thursday, Mayor John Tory said that the new provincial legislation will give the city “the latitude” to do precisely that.
Last September, the city also voted to lower speed limits to 30 km/h on residential roads within the Toronto and East York community council districts.
“This gives us greater ability to set speed limits that we think are suitable for different parts of the city,” Tory said.
Some of the major arterial roads that could get lower speed limits under the city’s plan include:
- Spadina Avenue between Queen’s Quay and College Street (50 km/h to 40 km/h),
- Queen Street from Yonge Street to Parliament Street (50 km/h to 40 km/h),
- University Avenue from Front Street to Gerrard Street (50 km/h to 40 km/h)
- Dundas Street from Humberside Avenue to Broadview Avenue (50 km/h to 40 km/h).
