A Test Project Is Being Put Into Action In Select Winnipeg Neighbourhoods

The government of Manitoba has released a test project plan to give the residential streets in Winnipeg City a better look into the future. The government’s goal is to lower the speed limit from fifty kilometres per hour to forty or even thirty to make the residential areas safe and to see the effects of changing the speed limit.

This test project was proposed by the Standing Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works, and the primary goal of this project is to study and get more information regarding firm opinions. It is unclear if the government will change the speed limit after the test is done or if it will bring it back to fifty kilometres per hour.

“This is a way to get more information because there are some strong opinions on both sides,” said Matt Allard, Committee Chair Councillor. A couple of neighbourhoods, including Worthington, Richmond West, Tyndall Park South, and Bourkevale, are being tested under this project, and their residents received a letter on February 1st, 2023, to inform them of the changed speed limit. The new speed limit in those residential areas is forty kilometres per hour.

“I was kind of surprised when I got the mail, maybe the other neighbours did want their speed limit lowered, but I live in Richmond West and did not hear anything regarding this topic. I mean, lowering the speed limit from fifty to forty won’t be that big of a deal to most drivers, and driving slow is for sure better for the residents and to lessen any harms if they happened to occur.” said a resident in Richmond West Neighbourhood.

– Halla Alhamed, U Multicultural