Some City Councillors Question Why Many Posted and Actual Speed Limits Differ in Whitehorse

Thursday, 4 April 2019 12:38

Some city councillors are asking why many speed limit signs under 50km/h in Whitehorse differ from the actual speed limit allowed under the city bylaws.

City of Whitehorse Manager of Engineering Service Taylor Eshpeter says speed limits are planning to be changed in two Whitehorse neighborhoods, provided a traffic bylaw is passed and adopted by council.

After reviewal from the city's traffic committee, Espheter says a bylaw amendment would mean the entire Takhini North neighborhood would have a speed limit of 30 km/ hour while new signage around Tamarack Drive would increase the displayed speed limit there from 30 to 40km/hour.

Councilor Laura Cabott questions how increasing speed limits on signs will increase safety.

"I guess I'm questioning 40km/h and not 30km/h (in the Takhini neighborhood) when the data you gave shows considerable reduction in fatalities when it's 30km/h...It's almost like we're encouraging the average driver to speed up."

Espheter says changes to the posted speed limits along Tamarack Drive should be completed to reflect the actual local speed limit bylaw, which is 50km/h.

"We just feel with the geometry of the road and the way it feels it's designed for 50km/h. We feel like it's would be a compliance issue if we just posted 30km/h. They call it an artificial speed reduction if your road is designed for a certain speed and you just put up a sign to try and lower the speed limit."

Councilor Dan Boyd says the differences between the posted speed limit and the actual speed limit is frustrating.

"I don't appreciate that we have so many various speed zones in our communities. (Whether its) 40, 50, 60. Do we post all of our 30km/h and 40km/h speed limits?".

Espheter responded by saying the city hadn't put up all of the speed limit signs in the city below 50km/hour yet.

Councilor Samson Hartland says all roads with speed limits below 50 km/h should have signage on them.

The traffic bylaw will be brought forward under the bylaw process next week.

More from CHON-FM Northern News

Whitehorse Emergency Shelter Sees Another Tragic Death, Family Demands Answers

Bailey's biological father also died at the shelter in 2021, and she claims that the shelter's staff provided conflicting accounts of the circumstances surrounding the death of her Step father.
Yukon Risks Blackouts This Winter as Hydro Power Plant Undergoes Repairs

The Aishihik turbine was critically damaged in October, and repair work is not expected to be completed until spring.
Yukon government accused of budgeting interference

Letters from three independent officers of the assembly question Management Board for changing budgets after approval.
Liard First Nation chief has lost confidence, been suspended by his community

LFN citizens who attended a public meeting Tuesday in Watson Lake overwhelmingly sided with the Deputy Chief and Council members who drafted a resolution to have Chief Stephen Charlie suspended from his duties
Liard First Nation Employees Fired After Advocating for Change

Emeral Poppe and Diana Lee Jimmy have been vocal advocates for change within Liard First Nation, raising concerns over transparency.
YFNED kicks off fifth-annual winter hamper program

"We try to support local as much as we can." - YFNED Acting Director of First Nation Initiatives Kim Rumley
Broken generator at Aishihik Generating Station puts pressure on the Yukon's electricity grid

The 12-megawatt generator failed due to a part malfunction, according to the Yukon Energy Corporation
Intergovernmental Forum takes place in Ottawa - not Yukon - for second year running

Forum discussed collaborative approaches to funding the implementation of Final and Self-Government Agreements.
Suspected contamination at the abandoned Wolverine Mine: Yukon government

The Yukon government has been addressing water treatment issues at the site since the mine's abandonment in 2015
Food For Fines Campaign Returns to Whitehors

Eligible tickets include: Expired parking meter fines, and Two-hour zone fines.
Yukon First Nations leadership and Yukon government leadership meet for 30th Yukon Forum

This was the third Yukon Forum of 2024. The last will be the Intergovernmental Forum in Ottawa in December.
Shot in the Dark Productions premiered two films at the Yukon Arts Centre

Shot in the Dark Productions believes puppets can captivate both children and adults, conveying important environmental science themes through entertainment.
Former Connective staff acquitted of sexual assault and exploitation charges

Judge Gurmail Gill found Omale not guilty due to inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony and lack of forensic evidence.
Whitehorse RCMP officers to start using body-worn cameras

The Yukon RCMP adopts body-worn cameras to bolster trust, accountability, and transparency in its community services
Whitehorse Community Thrift Store volunteers stop work following store manager's termination by its board of directors.

Thrift store society founder Karen Weinberg says the manager was fired for raising safety concerns.
Trʼondëk Hwëchʼin, Yukon NDP blast Yukon government for delays in Dawson Regional Land Use Plan

“Every day this plan doesn’t get done is another day of status quo for the mining industry. It’s starting to feel like this is by design.” - Yukon NDP Leader Kate White
Newly elected Whitehorse Mayor and Council sworn into office

Mayor Kirk Cameron and Councillors Anne Middler, Dan Boyd, Lenore Morris, Eileen Melynchuk, Jenny Hamilton, and Paolo Gallina have taken their oaths of office.
2024 Yukon River fall chum salmon run records dismal numbers

The Porcupine River revealed alarmingly low numbers, with 16,275 and 8,368 fish recorded
Trial of Former Connective residential support worker accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable client commenced in Whitehorse territorial court on Monday.

Omale, 38 has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and sexual exploitation of a person with a disability stemming from September 2023.
Whitehorse residents join Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition's Actions for Accountability Rally

Dozens of people marked Poverty and Homelessness Accountability week with a walk to the Jim Smith building, where the mother of a homeless man spent the night camping in the parking lot.