Gibsons is looking at reducing speed limits approaching the 5 Corners intersection –– and perhaps more broadly across the municipality.
Proposed, is reducing the speed limit to 30 km/hr the length of Marine Drive (within town boundaries) and the length of School Road, as well as Gibsons Way from Killarney Lane to the intersection, and Gower Point Road, from Winn Road to the intersection.
The changes come out of safety discussions incited by the Billy’s Walk development, which is adjacent to the corner and will add 49 dwellings to the neighbourhood.
However, a staff report indicates the town’s busiest pedestrian centre is not as dangerous as some may think.
Between 2018 and 2022, 15 crashes occurred at the intersection and just three of those resulted in injury, according to ICBC data. “While the geometry of the intersection is complex and the perception may be that the intersection is unsafe, evidence indicates that there is a low rate of traffic incidents at 5 Corners,” said the report.
That said, staff recommended reducing the 50 km/hr speed limit to 30 km/hr approaching the busy intersection, and a Nov. 19 committee of the whole concurred.
Staff will also investigate removing old wayfinding Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure signs, making curb changes and improving the definition of the Molly’s Lane/Wharf Lane/Marine Drive intersection.
Council to consider town-wide speed reduction
Municipalities such as Bowen Island and Cumberland have imposed blanket speed limit reductions, which staff say is a “valid consideration for Gibsons, given the challenging topography and geometry of the town’s road network and council's priority to enhance transportation options.”
The committee voted to include an assessment of such a reduction in the upcoming Transportation Master Plan, with councillors generally voicing support for a town-wide reduction, particularly given Gibsons is a tourist town.
Coun. Stafford Lumley pointed to studies showing small time savings for speeding. “I don't think slowing down is going to impede anybody from getting somewhere on time,” he said.
“I see a lot of people driving a little bit too fast with big trucks in small streets,” said Coun. Annemarie De Andrade.
A recent article caught Coun. David Croal’s eye. “Gibsons was listed as one of the top 10 laid-back communities. So if we're going to have the reputation, we might as well practice what we preach.”
The speed limit changes in the 5 Corners vicinity still need to pass at the council level.
