Highway 40 and Highway 4 intersection. (Google Maps)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Speed Limit

Battleford asking province to review speed limit on Highway 40 entering town

Sep 6, 2023 | 2:05 PM

One of the entrances into the Town of Battleford could soon have a new speed limit.

The Town’s Council met on Tuesday where they approved writing a letter to the Ministry of Highways asking them to review the section of Highway 40 from the Battle River to Highway 4.

This comes after the town was asked by Jordan Kist to change the speed limit from 80 km/h to 60 km/h due to safety reasons. He explained many people access the industrial area and the dog park on the south side of the highway by foot or bicycle and having vehicles creeping up to the intersection at 80 km/h can potentially be unsafe.

Mayor Ames Leslie said during the town’s meeting that it’s unlikely the province will do anything.

“Two years ago we had a safety audit by the Ministry of Highways on all intersections and speeds in the area and they came back and said speed reduction was not required,” he said.

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He added the town previously held talks with Jeremy Cockrill, the previous Minister of Transport, but they’d have to start all over again with Lori Carr, the new Minister of Highways, after the provincial cabinet shuffle.

Despite this, Leslie believes there’s still a chance they might consider reviewing the area.

“We can put more pressure on public safety; it’s been two years and new homes and businesses have moved there,” he said.

If the ministry chooses not to update the speed then it’ll stay at 80 km/h as the town has no power to change it.

Meanwhile, the town noted there have been no accidents in recent years due to the speed in the area.

The only incident they could remember was when a woman fell asleep at the wheel and rear-ended another vehicle when they started to slow down.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow