Oxbow Road speed concerns

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---Oxbow Road speed concerns---

It was fixed, and so they came. Unfortunately, they seem to keep coming and are bringing their friends at some shocking speeds.

Terry Wynacht, a resident on Oxbow Road, made a presentation to council at their regular council meeting on May 19 to request a seed reduction on the road that many Strathmore residents use a shortcut to get home.

“We’ve seen just a terrible deterioration in the traffic,” said Wynacht. “Somebody is going to get hurt out there.”

She explained that since moving onto the road she has noticed a serious increase in traffic as well as a decrease in the care with which some people drive. Based on conversations she has had with local RCMP, she said drivers have been caught going well over the speed limit, which causes concerns for her and the children who play in their yards along the road.

“I’m pretty sure that lowering the speed limit won’t help,” said Manager of Transportation and Infrasctrure, Dave Churchill. “I think we have to monitor and enforce the existing limit. I think this is an enforcement issue.”

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Churchill explained that the road was built for that speed limit, and if people are exceeding that then something on the enforcement side of things must be done.

Gerald Skibiasky, who is in charge of the county peace officers, has already had one of his officers go to the road on a few different dates, and will have the same officer be on site during the peak hours of traffic over the next little while.

“I think we’ll just keep monitoring it and we’ll see if there are any recommendations,” said Reeve Ben Armstrong.

The motion was made to have the peace officers continue to monitor the road and start seriously enforcing the speed limit there. There was also a request to look into purchasing a speed sign that provides motorists with the speed they are traveling compared to the posted limit.

“That’s the only thing people will respect: money,” said Councillor Don Vander Velde. “You hit them until they’ve had enough they’ll stop speeding.”

Another concern along the Oxbow Road was brought to council on May 19, in the form of a letter.

A Strathmore RCMP member wrote the county regarding the intersection of Range Road 255 and Oxbow Road. His concern is that there isn’t sufficient control at the intersection and the removal of the yield signs and the implementation of stop signs was suggested.

Churchill explained that they have looked at that intersection numerous times before and they will take the recommendation into consideration.

They will, however, conduct their own investigation into the matter and determine what solution looks to make the intersection the most safe.
Article ID# 1586281