Lower speed limits are coming to the City of Welland.
Back in 2017, the provincial government made amendments to the Highway Traffic Act to allow municipalities to establish speed limits below 50 kilometres per hour.
This fall, the City of Welland will be taking advantage of changes to the Highway Traffic Act, with speed limits dropping from 50 km/h to 40km/h in much of the city.
The implementation of the lower speed limit will occur “on local and minor collector roadways” and was endorsed by Council as part of the 2025 budget process.
Council approved the capital funds needed to install the necessary signage to support the move during the 2025 budget cycle.
Signs will not be installed on every street. The Highway Traffic Act allows municipalities to install signs signalling where speed limit areas begin and end using what is called “gateway signage.”
This will significantly reduce the number of new signs the city needs to install to make drivers aware of the new lower speed limit.
In total, 644 new speed limit signs will be installed throughout Welland.
Many arterial and major collector roads will still have speed limits at 50 km/h. This includes Hellems Avenue, Forks Road, and Wellington Street.
Aqueduct Street, which currently has signs indicating that the speed limit it 40 km/h only when signs are flashing, will see the speed limit permanently set at 40 km/h.
The entire process of installing new signs and taking out old ones is expected to cost taxpayers $164,150. This was the lowest bid placed, as Council had originally set aside as much as $218,000 in capital funding for the project.
If the contractor keeps the cost at the initial bid price, taxpayers stand to save over $50,000 on this project compared to what Council was prepared to spend.
The city is emphasizing the impact lower speed limits will have on public safety.
“Slower speeds save lives, and we know this to be true,” said Ali Khan, manager of transportation engineering for the City of Welland. “By reducing the speed limit in our neighbourhoods, we’re taking an important step to improve road safety and quality of life for Welland residents.”
“Driving habits won’t change overnight, but over time, we’ll see these speed reductions really take effect.”
All the new signs are expected to be installed by Oct. 30, 2025.
According to a city news release, the rationale for lowering the speed limit includes to “prevent serious injuries, create calmer neighbourhoods, and encourage active lifestyles.”
Jay Goldberg is the Canadian Affairs Manager at the Consumer Choice Center. He previously served as the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
