Kawartha Lakes’ new traffic calming policy aims to slow speeds and increase safety

DARRYL KNIGHT Local Journalism Initiative Reporter for The Standard

KAWARTHA LAKES: A new approach to traffic calming is in the works for the City of Kawartha Lakes, as staff aim to make neighbourhood streets safer and the decision-making process more responsive to residents.

At a recent Committee of the Whole meeting, Joseph Kelly, Supervisor of Traffic Management, presented updates on the City’s traffic calming review. The new process will simplify how requests are handled, apply clearer evaluation tools, and place greater emphasis on community input.

“The goal is to make our neighbourhood streets safer and easier to navigate,” said Mr. Kelly. “We’ve designed a system which is simpler, fairer, and gives more weight to what residents are telling us about their streets.”

Under the updated framework, streets will first be pre-screened, based on straightforward criteria, such as traffic volume, speed limits, and whether the area is primarily residential. If a street qualifies, it will then be scored against factors, including: speeding, pedestrian activity, school proximity, and collision history. Streets which meet the threshold will advance to public consultation, where residents will vote on whether to proceed with measures, such as, signage, speed cushions, or traffic-calming street designs.

For residents, this means their voices will carry more influence than before. Reviews will be triggered by community surveys, and a minimum of 55 percent support among respondents will be required for a project to move forward.

“We want to ensure any traffic calming project reflects the will of the neighbourhood it affects,” explained Mr. Kelly. “It’s about balancing road safety with fairness and practicality.”

Even streets which do not meet the full criteria may still see improvements, through alternative measures, including speed limit reductions, pedestrian warning signs, or truck restrictions. Parkside Drive is already moving ahead as the main pilot project, while other requests will be assessed using the new framework.

Deputy Mayor McDonald, who moved to receive the presentation, highlighted the value of the updated approach. “This gives residents a stronger voice in shaping traffic solutions where they live,” he said. “It’s a more community-focused way of addressing concerns.”

The City plans to bring forward a full Traffic Calming Policy, for Council consideration, by June 2026, making the framework official across Kawartha Lakes. Until that time, a petition process remains in place for traffic management requests.

“Traffic calming measures are intended to restore streets to their intended function,” Mr. Kelly added. “Whether through speed cushions, signage, or design changes, our priority is reducing the negative effects of motor vehicle use and creating safer conditions for all road users.”