Speed limit changes are now in effect.

The Vision Zero platform means Fort Saskatchewan is committed to making a difference in traffic safety. Overall collisions have been reduced in the last five years by 42%—but there’s still more work to do. Our focus is getting families home safe, with no amount of loss of life or serious injury being acceptable.

As part of Vision Zero, small adjustments to our city’s speed limits will make our roads safer and our communities more livable.

  • All unmarked residential roads and certain collector roads (including Pineview Ring Road, Allard Way, and Greenfield Way) will see speeds decrease from 50 km/hr to 40 km/hr, while some roads will increase to 60 km/hr.
  • Highway 15 east of 119 Street to city limit will increase to 80 km/hr.
    • Please note: The speed limit has not yet increased to 80km/hr east of 119 Street as the traffic signal timing plans are being updated. Please watch for speed limit signs along this portion of the highway.

Please review the FAQs to learn about where the speed limits will change, and how this will impact you.

Frequently Asked Questions: Speed Limit Changes

Why was the default speed limit changed on residential streets from 50km/hr to 40km/hr?

Traffic Safety is a priority in Fort Saskatchewan. Speed limits are an important aspect of traffic safety because speed is a factor in the frequency and severity of every collision. Slowing down while driving gives you more time to react to the unexpected and helps you avoid collisions.

Fort Saskatchewan’s approach to speed management is guided by the principles of Vision Zero and the Safe Systems approach to traffic safety. Slower speeds in residential areas makes our streets safer, calmer and reduces noise.

Survival rate chart

How will I know what the speed limit is?

The new default speed limit in Fort Saskatchewan is now 40km/hr. If you do not see a speed limit sign, please adjust your speed to 40km/hr.

Signs will be posted along corridors where the speed limits change. Reminder signs will also be installed along longer stretches to alert drivers of the posted speed limits.

Why are speeds being reduced in some areas and increased in others?

The City of Fort Saskatchewan conducts reviews of roadways by considering many factors: Transportation Master Plan, Transportation Association of Canada Guidelines (TAC), safety considerations such as collision data, adjacent land use, traffic volume and existing speed limit and the design intent and primary use of the road.

Some roadways have warranted a speed limit increase. In these situations the roadways were evaluated based on their designation, intended use and the potential conflicts along the roadways. Where arterial roadways with no uncontrolled intersections / accesses exist and the roadway was designed to accommodate a higher speed, the speed limit will be increased to 60km/hr. This also helps in creating a hierarchy of roadways, where drivers are encouraged to use roadways designed to move traffic rather than cutting through neighbourhoods, because it might be slightly shorter.

How does this align with the goals of Vision Zero?

Vision Zero is the goal to have zero fatalities and serious injuries on our roadways. Slower speeds helps to reduce crashes on our streets and improve traffic safety and livability in our neighborhoods.

Speed limits are in important aspect of the safe systems approach to traffic safety, because they contribute to the frequency and severity of collisions. The risk of fatality for people and vulnerable road users struck by a vehicle dramatically increases as speeds increase.

Will my trip be impacted by a reduction in speed on local roads?

Reduced speed limits on neighborhood roads have very little impact on overall trip times. Speed limits are being adjusted to minimize the length of travel at 40km/hr. The target is to keep neighbourhood travel (40km/hr) to under 800m before a higher classification roadway is available (50km/hr or 60km/hr). The longest stretch of 40km/hr is approximately 1.5km which adds approximately 30 seconds to a vehicles drive time.

Project Implementation
  • In 2018 Council adopted Vision Zero as Fort Saskatchewan’s Traffic Safety Program building on the Safe System Approach to traffic and transportation safety. “Vison Zero’s long term goal is to have zero fatalities and major injury collisions on our roadways”
  • September 24, 2019 Council requested Administration to produce an implementation plan to reduce the unposted speed limit within the city from 50km/hr to 40 Km/hr.
  • Public Engagement - June 2021 an online traffic safety survey was undertaken to engage the public on the proposed speed limit changes and traffic safety issues.
  • A public awareness campaign is being launched prior to the effective date of the speed limit changes.
  • Traffic Bylaw Update: Traffic Bylaw C17-22 (replaced Traffic Bylaw C4-09)
  • Effective Date: The effective date has not been set yet, but the goal is to have the change made before summer 2022.

Many City’s in Alberta have made this speed limit change to improve traffic safety outcomes such as Edmonton and St. Albert, and many more are in the process of making these changes.

Speed Limit Map

Speed Limit Changes:

  • Default speed limit in residential areas and areas otherwise directed by a traffic control device has been changed to 40km/hr
  • Southfort Drive from 94 Street to Southridge Blvd remains at 50km/hr until the ultimate cross section and traffic control are complete, then moves to 60km/hr (with Council approval)
  • 94 Street south of Southfort Drive is increased to 60 km/hr.
  • 99 Avenue between 101 Street and 90 Street increased to 60 km/hr
  • Most arterial roadways off Veterans Way remain at 50km/hr
  • Highway 15 east of 119 Street increased to 80 km/hr

See map for details

Enforcement

Will the RCMP and Municipal Enforcement be issuing tickets the day the 40km/hr speed limit comes into effect?

A public education campaign is underway so residents and motorists are aware of the change. Enforcement Services are working together to educate the public and ensure people are aware of the new speed limits.

There will be a familiarization period where motorists will be educated with a warning on the new speed limits. This familiarization period will end approximately 30 days after the implementation date.