On Nov. 24, officials with the City of Laval celebrated a milestone moment: a record 700th speed bump had finally been installed near schools and parks after a two-year campaign.
According to a statement issued by the city, speedbumps were installed near a total of 67 schools and 139 parks. At the same time, between 2020 and 2022, bike paths, elevated intersections and sidewalk protrusions were also added near five educational institutions to encourage active mobility.
Message to motorists
“Whether children in school zones are getting around near parks by foot, by bike or by car, the city hopes to get motorists to adopt the most secure types of behaviour, to reduce their speed and to be more aware of their surroundings,” says city councillor for Sainte-Dorothée Ray Khalil, who is responsible for public works on the executive-committee.
“It’s one of our priorities. Thanks to a much greater sense of security, families are being strongly encouraged to get around on foot or by bike. Our wish is that parents and children prioritize getting around actively, although currently several are being driven to school by car.”
The latest speed bump
According to the city, the 700th speed bump was installed on 15th Ave., near École de la source in the district of Fabreville, towards the close of an initial phase of speed bump implementation that began in the fall of 2020.
A second speed bump implementation phase, currently in development, will be taking place on other residential streets. The measures are part of a series of traffic calming measures which Laval has been implementing since 2017.
The city says that each speed bump is deployed while taking into account the specific needs of each street or neighbourhood in terms of modifying street signage, creating elevated intersections if necessary, or installing an electronic speed display should one be needed.
