Owen Sound Enhances Road Safety for Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Children in School Zones

City Council has passed amendments to the Traffic By-law to include school zones at most of the City’s schools. By-law No. 2023-092 is an amendment to Traffic By-law No. 2009-075 to include various school zones with speed limits of 30 kilometres per hour between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The changes were implemented in response to feedback received from the local community and several school representatives.   

The school zones were established based on traffic engineering best practices and are intended to improve the safety of students within the City of Owen Sound.  School areas were also established where a speed reduction was not warranted, but warning signage will be put in place. 

The rationale and methodology used are described in the Staff Report presented at the Operations Committee meeting on July 20.  Maps of the proposed school zones (shown in red) and school areas (shown in cyan) are also available for viewing under the report in the Committee Agenda.  

Specific School Zones with 30km/hour speed limits on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.: 

Alexandra Community School 

• 8^th Avenue East from 15^th Street East to 16^th Street East 
• 15^th Street A East from 8^th Avenue East to 9^th Avenue East 

École Catholique Saint-Dominique-Savio 

• 8^th Avenue East from 23^rd Street East to 100 metres south of 23^rd Street East 
• 23^rd Street East from 8^th Avenue East to 9^th Avenue East 

Hillcrest Elementary School 

• 4^th Avenue West from 7^th Street West to 8^th Street West 
• 6^th Avenue West from 7^th Street West to 8^th Street West 
• 8^th Street West from 4^th Avenue West to 6^th Avenue West 

Keppel-Sarawak Elementary School 

• 8^th Avenue West from 24^th Street West to 26^th Street West 
• 24^th Street West from 120 metres east of 8^th Avenue West to the Town Limit 
• 24^th Street West from the Town Limit to Carney Street (Georgian Bluffs) 
• Finden Street (Georgian Bluffs) from 24^th Street West to the unopened road allowance of 26^th Street West 

Notre Dame Catholic School 

• 25^th Street East from 9^th Avenue East to the westerly terminus 

Saint Basil Catholic Elementary School 

• 9^th Avenue West from 10^th Street West to the southerly terminus 

Timothy Christian School 

• 3^rd Avenue West from 17^th Street West to 100 metres north of 17^th Street West 
• 4^th Avenue West from 16^th Street West to 19^th Street West 
• 17^th Street West from 3^rd Avenue West to 4^th Avenue West 

For more information, please contact Lara Widdifield, Director of Public Works at 519-376-4440 ext. 1201 or email to lwiddifield@owensound.ca 

Quotes: 

"Pedestrian safety is of the utmost importance, especially for the youngest members of our community during peak traffic times. These important Traffic By-law amendments to reduce speeds will help make our school zones safer for everyone.” 

-      Mayor Ian Boddy 

Quick Facts: 

• City Council passed amendments to the Traffic By-law to include school zones at most of the City’s schools. 
• The new amendments include speed limits of 30 kilometres per hour between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. in specific zones 

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