By Leah Murray

City votes to increase speed on Parkview Drive

Aug 21, 2017 | 9:29 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — As early as Tuesday morning City of Medicine Hat crews could be replacing speed signs on Parkview Drive.

The arterial roadway was built in 2012 as a means of moving traffic around the busy Crescent heights area instead of through residential corridors.

The road was designed to handle speeds of 80km/h and the city originally intended to set the speed at 70km/h, but a dispute with a neighbourhood group changed that.

The group opposed the 70km/h speed because they believed the noise pollution would have an impact on their enjoyment and value of their properties.

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The dispute has since been resolved and the city will be moving forward with changing the speed limits.

City council voted unanimously in favour of the change and passed the new speed bylaw with all three readings Monday night.

Mayor Ted Clugston said this change has been a long time coming.

“I know the citizens probably wonder why does this take so long?” said Clugston. “We were talking about this four years ago, lets get this done, but we did have to consult with the residents in the area and work through some issues.”

Councillor Les Pearson said he’s also happy to see the change but some changes will need to happen to ensure the safety of pedestrians.

“It’s going to mean motorists will have to be very vigilant about the foot traffic and cycle traffic that could happen on the path,” said Pearson. “I’m hoping flashing lights will be installed post-haste.”

The city said a set of flashing pedestrian lights will get installed where the walking path crosses the road, though it may take a couple of months.

Clugston adds the increased speed will likely divert traffic around the Crescent Heights area, taking some traffic off of the more residential roads.

The Parkview Drive speed review is part of a larger city-wide speed review currently being conducted.

There’s no word on when that will be presented to City Council, but it likely won’t happen until after the municipal election.

**Until the new signs are up the speed limit will remain as posted.**