Drivers will be asked to slow down in a stretch of Lacombe’s historic downtown during typical work week hours beginning in December.
City council voted earlier this month to reduce speeds to 30 km/h from 50 km/h from 53rd Street to Hwy 2A along Hwy 12 beginning on Dec. 1. The lower speed limits are in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
The pilot project will be reviewed after a year to see if pedestrian safety is improved.
“As Lacombe has grown, the volume of traffic has increased in the downtown area, leading to increased concerns around pedestrian safety, as there are many boutique shops, historical places of interest, and even a tour of historic murals, all of which attract both residents and visitors,” says Mayor Steve Christie in an announcement.
Changing the speed limit was proposed in a notice of motion brought forward by Coun. Reuben Konnik, who owns a business along the stretch.
Konnik said he has seen a number of dangerous situations, fender benders and near-misses downtown.
The Lacombe Police Service is in favour of the move.