Gatineau goes ahead with less than half of planned speed-reduction

Gatineau will complete traffic-calming work on five streets this year. Three are in Aylmer: Atholl-Doune, Rivermead and two sections of Du Verger. In 2018, des Paysans, de la Fabrique, Front and Lord-Aylmer streets will be added to the speed-reduction list. Traffic-calming measures include speed bumps, bollards, and speed-limit signs, but not stop signs.

In 2016, the city listed 21 sites that met the requirements for traffic-calming and speed-reduction work. After ranking them, ten were scheduled for 2017.

However, after considerable discussion, six sites will be completed this year and only two of those were on the initial top ten list. The city claims that works were re-scheduled to accommodate other projects at those sites.

Councillor Maxime Tremblay has criticized the increase in sites, as well as the city’s low budget for this work. He claims the street budget was cut in half by the present administration, compared to the last council’s directives.

The previous council had budgeted $1 million dollars, whereas the current budget is $450,000.

The decreased funding is limiting the number of traffic-calming projects. Council has requested an increased budget for 2018. City manager Marie-Hélène Lajoie has promised to return with a proposition for council in September. If there are additional funds, there will be time to add more streets to the list.

Residents wanting their street considered for traffic-calming can call 3-1-1 and register their request. Streets are evaluated based on the number of calls received.