Last fall, the Ontario Government banned the use of Automated Speed Enforcement (speed cameras) anywhere in the province, including school zones.
As a replacement, they’ve created a new “Road Safety Initiatives Fund (RSIF)” with $210-million for municipalities to increase road safety in school zones and community safety zones where cameras were previously located. Cities can apply to use this funding for things like speed bumps, raised crosswalks, roundabouts, and signage.
Ottawa has applied for funding to pay for safety infrastructure in several school zones across Ottawa, including two in Stittsville: St. Stephen Catholic School (Stittsville Main Street) and Sacred Heart High School (Abbott Street).
The diagrams below show the proposed location for speed cushions near St. Stephen and Sacred Heart. Speed cushions are a type of speed bumps that slow down most vehicles but allow larger vehicles like fire trucks to pass through without slowing.
These locations are approximate and may be adjusted slightly if impacts are identified during the detailed design stage. Other site-specific constraints identified during detailed design may also affect the feasibility of the proposed measures. Timing of installation depends on when the provincial government approves Ottawa’s request for funding.
We’d love to hear from you on this. Please contact our office with your feedback and questions. We’ll summarize any feedback received and share it with the City’s traffic staff.
Please note:
- There was also a speed camera at Holy Spirit School on Stittsville Street, but speed humps are not possible at this location due to its designation as a main street corridor.
- Schools that did not have a speed camera are not eligible for RSIF funding. However, there are temporary traffic calming measures planned for other locations this year, including speed radar boards along Cope Drive at Shingwàkons Public School, St. Bernadette Catholic School, and Maplewood Secondary School.
Abbott Street near Sacred Heart High School (click for larger size)
Stittsville Main Street near St. Stephen Catholic School (click for larger size)