Wellington Crescent speed-reduction motion loses momentum after committee vote

A motion that would have reduced the speed limit on Wellington Crescent failed to win enough votes at the City of Winnipeg's executive policy committee meeting on Wednesday.

The motion would have lowered the speed limit to 30 km/h from River Avenue to the western end of Academy Road.

Mayor Scott Gillingham's inner circle voted 3-2 against the part of the motion lowering the speed. Gillingham, Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood Coun. Evan Duncan and Point Douglas Coun. Vivian Santos voted against the proposal, while Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry Coun. Sherri Rollins and Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes voted in favour. 

The vote followed hours of speeches from dozens of delegates who signed up in support of the motion. Speaking before the vote, Gillingham said he couldn't support the motion without knowing how it would impact the surrounding communities.

"I know people are not going to be happy with this, but respectfully ... that road is used by more than cyclists," Gillingham said during the meeting.

"It's used by our transit network. We have to know what the impact would be on any ... residential streets adjacent to Wellington Crescent. I think it needs more thought, for me, before moving to 30 [km/h]."

Impact report needed: Orlikow

Last week, the public works committee approved a motion, brought forward by Rollins at the city centre committee, to lower the speed on Wellington.

It was motivated in part by the death of cyclist Rob Jenner. A driver going more than 150 km/h hit and killed Jenner in June.

At city hall, residents and cycling advocates shared often emotional stories about close calls with drivers and concerns about safety.

If approved, the lower speed would remain in effect until a separated bike lane is built. 

River Heights-Fort Garry Coun. John Orlikow has raised concerns about council making this decision without a traffic study.

"I'm not sure if just arbitrarily deciding to close at 30 is the right choice," he said in an interview.

"There may be other options. It may be the [right] choice. But again, I need to have a report. We need to discuss it with people. We need to look at the impacts that has."

Mayor Scott Gillingham told reporters earlier in the day that he thinks a separated bike lane would be a more permanent solution.

"I keep in mind that the section in question here, specifically between Maryland and River, is a [Priority 1] street," Gillingham said, referring to the city's priority system for clearing and maintaining streets. 

Santos said she supported the "theory" of lowering speeds in residential areas, but she wanted to wait for a report on a pilot project that lowered speed limits to 30 or 40 km/h in four neighbourhoods. That report is expected in the spring.

An interim solution

During the meeting, transportation manager David Patman told the committee the city has identified Wellington as a high priority for separated bike infrastructure, and suggested a temporary bike lane could be installed in spring, using paint or poly posts.

Rollins told the committee she realizes her ward already has "an embarrassment of riches" in terms of active transportation infrastructure.

"I did not want to spend a dollar that my ward didn't deserve, and in a constrained budget, the cheapest thing I can do is say 30 kilometres until a separated bike lane," she said.

An original version of the motion would have reduced the speed limit up to Kenaston Boulevard, but after Orlikow raised concerns, it was changed to end the reduced-speed zone at Academy Road, by the Maryland Bridge. 

Last week, the public works committee amended the motion, extending the zone past where Wellington runs under Kenaston, and ending where it intersects with the western end of Academy.

Although the executive policy committee did not approve lowering the speed limit, it did approve other parts of the motion, calling for a report in 120 days on temporary ways to improve bike safety and consultation with the community on prioritizing Wellington Crescent within the city's transportation master plan and pedestrian and cycling plans.

The motion moves on to council for a final vote.