HomeMy WebLinkAboutINS-13-029 - Huron Rd Bridge - Speed Limit and Traffic Control
REPORT TO:
Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
April 8, 2013
SUBMITTED BY:
Ken Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services
PREPARED BY: Justin Mishko, Traffic Technologist, extension 7153
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 3 & 4
DATE OF REPORT:
March 14, 2013
REPORT NO.:
INS-13-029
HURON ROAD BRIDGE – SPEED LIMIT AND TRAFFIC
SUBJECT:
CONTROL
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That a 40 km/h speed limit be implemented on Huron Road from Homer Watson
Boulevard to Mill Park Drive; and,
The a “yield to oncoming traffic” sign be implemented on Huron Road at the eastbound
approach to the bridge; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic Bylaw be amended accordingly.
BACKGROUND:
During the preconstruction phase of the bridge, the design considered the horizontal and
vertical road alignment and the safe stopping sight distances at the bridge location. It was
concluded that the safety requirements would not be met with a 50 km/h posted speed. In
addition, the poor horizontal and vertical alignment limits a driver’s ability to see and react to an
oncoming vehicle, prompting a form a traffic control for one or both approaches to the bridge.
REPORT:
During the design phase of the bridge, the City’s engineering consultant identified, through the
Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code, that the safety requirements would not be met with a
50 km/h posted speed at this narrow bridge location. Based on the available safe stopping sight
distances taking into account the horizontal and vertical alignment, the appropriate posted
speed is recommended to be 40 km/h. This will help increase the effective time for a driver to
safely react to an oncoming vehicle.
The Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code has special provisions for low volume roads which
allow for single lane bridges. The provisions apply to bridges with low traffic volumes. Where
9 - 1
operational issues have been minimal, a municipality may continue to operate a bridge as a
single lane structure but consideration is to be given to using additional traffic control measures.
Typically on a single lane bridge that has low traffic volumes, the probability of two vehicles
meeting at the bridge is low. In the case of the bridge on Huron Road, poor vertical and
horizontal alignment limits the ability of a driver to see oncoming traffic. With the westbound
approach having less restrictive sightlines which allow a driver improved perception / reaction
time, the installation of a yield to oncoming traffic control sign for the eastbound approach is
most suited to address this issue.
Therefore, it is recommended that a 40 km/h speed limit be implemented on Huron Road
between Homer Watson Boulevard and Mill Park Drive, along with a “yield to oncoming traffic”
sign on the eastbound approach to the single lane bridge. This proposed 40 km/h speed limit
will also tie in effectively with the existing 40 km/h speed limit on Mill Park Road.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
This initiative falls under the Community Priority of Quality of Life. “Work with partners, including
all orders of government, to create a culture of safety in our community.” By working with the
neighbourhood, traffic control concerns have been addressed.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The approximate cost for sign installations for the roadway is $1000 and will be taken from the
existing sign maintenance budget.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None.
Pauline Houston, Deputy CAO
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Infrastructure Services Department
9 - 2
Proposed 40 km/h Speed Limit and Yield to Oncoming Traffic Control
Legend:
Proposed 40 km/h Speed Limit
Proposed Yield to Oncoming Traffic Sign
Bridge
9 - 3