by Greg Layson
Essex County residents will soon have to start taking things a little more slowly when they’re out and about in their automobiles.
That’s because County Council on March 19 unanimously approved speed limit reductions at two intersections in the County.
Commuters on County Road 46 will have to slow down to 60 km/h as they approach and cross County Road 19 — also known as Manning Road — from both the east and west sides.
Council asked for a review of the busy intersection in September 2024. A technical review supported a reduction in speed in the name of safety.
Council voted in favour of administration’s recommendation of reducing the posted speed along County Road 46, between Middle Road to the east and North Talbot Road to the west, to 60 km/h. The new rate of speed will be in effect from 50 metres east of Middle Road and 50 metres west of North Talbot Road.
Manager of Transportation Planning and Development, Jerry Behl, called the proximity of the intersections “the most important factor” in the decision.
“When you’re travelling at 80 kilometres, they come up pretty quick. They’re pretty close [to Manning],” Behl told Councillors while presenting his report.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara supported the change, because his Municipal Council recently approved the construction of a row of houses in the area of Malden Road. McNamara called it “critical” to have a uniform speed limit in the area.
Farther south, change is coming to the intersection of the 4th Concession Road and County Road 11 — also known as Walker Road — in Essex.
Currently, Walker Road has a posted speed limit of 50 km/h, from County Road 20 to 375m north of 3rd Concession Road. To the north of this point, the posted speed is 80km/h.
Administration recommended — and Council approved — lowering the speed limit to 50 km/h on County Road 11, between 3rd Concession Road and 4th Concession Road.
Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy said the intersection “has a history of complaints” and that change has “been on Essex Council’s radar for some time.”
She said she recently found an email from a concerned resident from 2012.
Robinson Transport and Warehousing is located in between the two concession roads.
Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley has also been hearing concerns for quite some time.
“Robinson Transport is so happy to see this happening,” he said.
In both cases, administration considered vehicle speed, road geometry, pedestrian, and cyclists, roadside hazards, the proximity of intersections, and number of driveways in the affected area.
Behl called the proximity of the intersections “the most important factor” in the decision at County Road 46 and Manning Road.
Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kimberly DeYong suggested both decisions strike a balance between safety and convenience.
“I appreciate it’s being kept to the intersections,” she said of the changes. “If we reduced speed all the way across [the County], we’d hear a lot of complaints. But it makes sense to slow down when you’re looking at slowing down for turns.”
The report didn’t say how much time a reduction in speed might add to a daily commute in either area. And Council didn’t ask.
The installation of signage at the affected intersections is estimated to cost approximately $2,000 at each. It will be completed by the County’s sign group, and will be managed within the approved Intersection Safety Improvement budget.
It’s not clear when the new speed limits will take effect.