Photo radar, lower speed limit coming to slow Old Port traffic
Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
peterblack@qctonline.com
The city is stepping up measures to try to slow down traffic through Old Quebec and Lower Town.
City and Port officials un- veiled the new measures, including lower speed limits, photo radar and greater vigilance around heavy truck traffic, at a media conference on May 8 in the Espace Quatre Cents building in the Old Port.
Coun. Mélissa Coulombe- Leduc, the executive committee member responsible for quality of life in the Old City and councillor for Cap-aux-Diamants, said, “These measures demonstrate our commitment to providing a safer, calmer urban environment that is more respectful of the unique character of Old Quebec.”
The speed limit is to be reduced as of this summer from 50 to 40 km/h on Rue Dalhousie, on Rue du Marché-Champlain and on Boul. Champlain as far as the Coast Guard base.
According to Marc Des Rivières, the city’s director of transportation and smart mobility, “The large number of pedestrians [in the Old Port] justifies reducing the speed limit.”
Mobile photo radar units will be used more intensely to enforce speed limits along Boul. Champlain from Rue de la Nouvelle-France in the industrial zone as far as the northern intersection of Rue Champlain.
Signage indicating heavy vehicle traffic is prohibited is to be reinforced in the axis formed by Boul. Champlain, Rue du Marché-Champlain, Rue Dalhousie and Quai Saint- André. There will also be a campaign to raise awareness among truck drivers regarding speed and the use of engine brakes.
According to the city, each day between 25 and 35 truck drivers use an illegal route through the Old City. Regarding truck traffic in the zone managed by the Quebec Port Authority, new CEO Olga Farman said it was among the first things she learned people were worried about when she took over the job in March.
Asked by the QCT how she will manage the challenge of increased truck traffic, particularly in light of the QSL terminal project in the works, Farman said, “I have a limited impact on those trucks. However, I want to make sure that we give them as much information as possible when they are on our facilities at the port. I want to work with the city to make sure that both of us have the proper influence and impact on those trucks coming in and out.
“So, the idea is not to limit the number of trucks. The idea is to make sure that they respect the legislation and also the community and the consequences of what they impose on this community when they come to such a place.”
The city began implementing measures to restrain traffic and reduce risks two years ago. The campaign was in part prompted by the death of a pedestrian on the Marché- Champlain curve a few years ago. Improvements were made last year to make the zone safer.
This summer, a “temporary secure zone” will be created at the northwest corner of the intersection of Rue Dalhousie and Rue du Marché-Finlay.
Another measure is the installation of signage to identify Old Quebec heritage sites along Boul. Champlain, Rue Dalhousie and Rue Saint-Paul.