The debate over speed limits is about to be reignited again.At the July 26 regular meeting of Estevan city council, a bylaw was introduced that, if passed, would lower the speed limit on Fourth Street, from Souris Avenue to 14th Avenue to 40km/hr. The initial bylaw called for a drop to 30km but was amended to 40km after a motion was presented by Councillor Chris Istace. The speed limit, on all of Fourth Street, is currently 50km.Istace, who was one of the proponents of the change to 40km, said the city wants to make the downtown core a more pedestrian friendly area and feels lowering the speed limit, along with other changes such as mid-block crosswalks and a proposed park, will help accomplish that goal."(Fourth Street) is not just a high speed corridor to get through our city," said Istace."We need to slow things down. Things are getting busier, a little bit more dangerous, a little bit more reckless and I personally feel in that area, a little slowdown won't hurt."In this area where we have high pedestrian traffic, 40km isn't out of line. It's only for four or five blocks. Most corridors through other commercial districts are 40km or less."Councillor Rod Beatty attempted to amend the bylaw further, presenting a motion that would see the area from 16th Avenue to Souris Avenue reduced to 40km. However, Beatty's motion was defeated by a 6-1 margin.This is the third time in two years that council has debated the issue of speed limits. In 2009, a bylaw to lower the speed limit in only residential areas was defeated twice. There was also a lengthy debate earlier this year over how long the school zone, which has a speed limit of 30km, on Wellock Road should extend.First reading of the bylaw was completed at the July 26 meeting. The bylaw is currently being advertised on the City Page in this week's paper and will be given a second reading at a later date.
