Cambridge councillor calls for speed bumps on Saginaw Parkway

If you ask any city official what is the number one complaint they hear from constituents, more often than not it’s speeding.

For Cambridge Ward 8 Coun. Nicholas Ermeta, it’s no different.

In his ward the concern is Saginaw Parkway, a stretch of road running between Townline Road and Franklin Boulevard through a densely populated neighbourhood and past four elementary schools. With drivers regularly exceeding the 40 km/h speed limit, Ermeta wants to see the city take permanent measures to get drivers to slow down.

Speaking to The Mike Farwell Show, Ermeta said he plans to table a motion at council that is sure to curb speeders.

“What I’m asking for is for two sets of speed bumps each installed between St. Theresa Catholic Elementary and Saginaw Public as well as Clemens Mill Public and St. Margret Catholic Elementary,” he said.

But, speed bumps come with a cost. Ermeta said it would be around $12,000 to $15,000 for permanent speed bumps. Temporary bumps would cost around $11,000 but there would be the added cost of installation, something the city would have to contract out.

Ermeta’s motion will also call on city staff to explore fundraising and sponsorship opportunities to help off-set the expenditure.

He said data shows the outcomes would greatly exceed the initial costs.

“I believe they (speed bumps) are effective in slowing people down. A number of studies say there could be a 40 per cent reduction in speed and it helps prevent speed related accidents.”

The City has tried to get drivers to slow down. There are electronic speed signs already in place and during the summer, bollards are installed to narrow the roadway. The City has also committed to reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h but that has yet to come into effect.

Ermeta said simply reducing the speed limit won’t help because drivers don’t obey the limit now.

He’s hoping council will prioritize safety over budget constraints and pass the motion he plans to table on Tuesday.