York Region drivers will need to watch their speeds at 10 locations after speed limit reductions on regional roads this month.
Regional council approved speed limit reductions at locations, including Queensway South and Weir’s Sideroad in Georgina, Lloydtown-Aurora Road in King, McCowan Road, Warden Avenue, Woodbine Avenue and Kennedy Road in Markham and Stouffville, as well as Stouffville Road in Stouffville and Ninth Line in Markham.
These reductions come after a review of speed limits and the region justified them through factors like increasing consistency and improving traffic operations.
“Setting appropriate speed limits helps protect all travellers, encourage compliance, complement urbanizing land use across the road network and improve traffic operations,” an April staff report said.
Regional policy calls for for periodic review of roads, with revisions done to address urbanization and complement roadway characteristics. All speed limit changes are accompanied by signs that say “NEW” for 60 to 90 days.
Most of the reductions are from 80 to 70 km/h. Queensway South is also going from 60 to 50 km/h while Lloydtown-Aurora Road will go from 80 to 60 km/hr in one section.
“Lower speeds help create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists and may encourage walking and cycling,” the staff report said.
Here's where speed limits are dropping:
- The Queensway South from 80 metres south of Joe Dales Drive/McMillan Drive to Glenwoods Avenue in the Town of Georgina – 60 km/hr to 50 km/hr
- Weir’s Sideroad from 400 metres north of Ravenshoe Road to Old Homestead Road in the Town of Georgina – 80 km/hr to 70 km/hr
- Lloydtown-Aurora Road from 1 kilometre east of 8th Concession to 400 metres east of 8th Concession in the Township of King – 80 km/hr to 60 km/hr
- Lloydtown-Aurora Road from 400 metres east of 8th Concession Road to Highway 27 in the Township of King – 80 km/hr to 70 km/hr
- McCowan Road from 945 metres north of Major Mackenzie Drive East to Stouffville Road in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and City of Markham – 80 km/hr to 70 km/hr
- Kennedy Road from 300 metres north of Major Mackenzie Drive East to 150 metres south of Stouffville Road in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and City of Markham – 80 km/hr to 70 km/hr
- Warden Avenue from Heritage Hill Drive to Stouffville Road in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and City of Markham – 80 km/hr to 70 km/hr
- Woodbine Avenue from 478 metres south of 19th Avenue to Stouffville Road in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and City of Markham – 80 km/hr to 70 km/hr
- Stouffville Road from Woodbine Avenue to 700 metres west of Highway 48 in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville – 80 km/hr to 70 km/hr
- Ninth Line from 150 metres north of 16th Avenue to 200 metres north of Donald Cousens Parkway in the City of Markham – 70 km/hr to 60 km/hr
A complete map of the speed reductions is available in the report.
