10 new speed cameras proposed for Cambridge school zones

More speed cameras, speed cushions and signage could be on the way in Cambridge in an effort to make roadways safer.

City staff will recommend 10 new speed camera locations at a council meeting on Tuesday evening, all located in school zones and community safety zones in the municipality.

Those locations include:

• Concession Road (Coronation Public School)
• Elgin Street (St. Anne Catholic School)
• Rose Street (Preston Public High School)
• Saginaw Parkway (Saginaw Parkway Public School and St. Teresa Catholic
  School)
• Scott Road (Silver Heights Public School)
• Stewart Avenue (Stewart Avenue Public School)
• Sunset Boulevard (Blair Road Public School)
• Langs Drive (William G. Davis Public School)
• West River Road (Tait Street Public School)
• Winston Boulevard (Hespeler Public School)

If these locations are approved by councillors, staff will work with the Region of Waterloo and the vendors who create the speed cameras in order to ensure that operating a camera at each location is possible.

The cameras will be paid for by the Region of Waterloo, and any surplus funds collected from tickets and fines will be used to fund regional road safety projects.

Four additional cameras on Myers Road, Holiday Inn Drive, Saginaw Parkway, and Avenue Road are already approved and scheduled to be installed by “early 2025,” according to a City of Cambridge report.

Two operating speed cameras in Cambridge rotate around 16 community safety zones, currently located on Guelph Avenue and Elgin
Street North.

Fines for those caught speeding range from $100 for travelling 15 km/h over the posted limit to $450 for going 30 km/h over the posted limit.

Also coming to council on Tuesday night is a report on the Speed Management Action Plan which includes a number of traffic calming recommendations.

The city will consider adding radar message boards, Tommy and Friends signs, and speed cushions to areas where complaints and concerns were found to be in need of attention.

According to the report coming to council, the Speed Management Program is proving to be a significant strain on staffing and resources due to its reactive nature, as many concerns raised by residents don’t result in any actionable data.

Staff added that, given advancements in data-collecting technology, there are opportunities to shift to a more proactive program.