City of Peterborough New Speed Limits and Community Safety Zones In School Areas

/

As part of National Safe Driving Week, The City of Peterborough has launched “Drive Slow Ptbo” to lower speed limits in Community Safety Zones in school areas, announced at Edmison Heights Public School on Tuesday afternoon.

An example of signs and the speed Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Speed limits have been reduced to 40 kph on major roads fronting schools and 30 kph on minor roads fronting schools and local roads leading to a school driveway. Local roads with walkway access to school property will receive a 40-kilometers-per-hour speed limit. Fines are doubled for traffic violations within a Community Safety Zone according to the Peterborough Police Service.

New speed limit and Community Safety Zone signs are being installed following Highway Traffic Act regulations at all 30 elementary and secondary schools. Additionally, five school areas — one in each ward — are pilot sites for road safety treatments to determine their effectiveness in slowing vehicular traffic and identify any operational or maintenance challenges associated with the treatments.

“This is just the pilot project and I think you have to take all that information you get and try to get out the wrinkles and apply it across the City of Peterborough,” said Councillor Keith Riel.

The treatments include pavement markings, delineators and vertical centerline treatments and electronic driver feedback signs.

These initial pilot areas are: 

  • St. Patrick's Catholic Elementary School

  • Edmison Heights Public School

  • École Catholique Monseigneur-Jamot

  • St. Alphonsus Catholic Elementary School and Keith Wightman Public School

  • Queen Mary Public School 

“School area safety is a priority for Council. We want our children to be safe,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Reducing the speed limit on the roads around our schools will create a safer environment for children and families walking or cycling to school. Community Safety Zones in school areas will add another layer of safety, in addition to the City’s effective Crossing Guard program and school bus safety laws.”

The school area safety project comes from key infrastructure policy initiatives established through the Transportation Master Plan approved by Council in March 2022. This project implements several measures recommended in the Safe School Zones section, including education, engineering and enforcement measures, to improve safety in school areas. 

City Council approved reduced speed limits and Community Safety Zones for all City elementary and secondary school areas in the City of Peterborough at its meeting on June 26.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1320 Members Ratify New Agreement

/

Peterborough Transit employees — represented by Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1320 — voted 86.5 per cent in favour of ratifying a three-year agreement reached with the City of Peterborough on Friday.

File Photo.

“Given this fantastic news, Peterborough Transit, one of the most value-creating services for residents, will continue to operate normally as expected on Monday,” said Jasbir Raina, City CAO. “My sincere appreciation and congratulations to the ATU Local 1320 Executive Committee and members, as well as the City’s bargaining team, for their hard work, commitment and true sense of belonging for our community to make it possible. Our front-line service delivery workers are the true value-creating leaders and brand ambassadors for the City.”

City Council will hold a ratification vote as soon as possible according to a press release.

The parties had been negotiating a new agreement since May last year

ATU Local 1320 represents 103 full-time and roughly 20 part-time employees with the City of Peterborough.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

High Street Temporarily Closed For Traffic Calming Measures Construction

/

High Street — between Sherbrooke Street and Frank Street — is closing to through traffic on Thursday and Friday for the installation of traffic calming infrastructure announced on Tuesday.

File Photo.

Local access will be maintained for residents within the affected area according to the City of Peterborough.

High Street was selected as one of the pilot areas to study traffic calming measures through the City’s Traffic Calming Policy development. It is being trialed as a one-way street with traffic permitted in the southbound direction between Sherbrooke Street and Frank Street. A protected pedestrian pathway is also being installed between Sherbrooke Street and Frank Street in the sections that do not have a sidewalk.

The policy is intended to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, as well as to reduce aggressive driving behaviour in local neighbourhoods to improve livability according to the City.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Transit Making Schedule Changes Beginning Sunday

/

With the existing On Demand service ending Friday, Peterborough Transit is making changes to some route schedules starting on Sunday.

File Photo.

The adjustments affect some weekday and Saturday evening services along with adjusted departure times for the Technology Drive (Route 10) service according to The City of Peterborough. Route 7 Lansdowne will switch to its seasonal fall/winter route that uses the Maria Street bridge and Rogers Street instead of the Lift Lock tunnel and Hunter Street East.

Holiday service changes from On Demand to Sunday service hours for all routes. Statutory holidays will have no late evening service.

Route 2 Chemong

No changes to weekday or Sunday service.

Saturday night service will be increased to replace On Demand:

  • Southbound trips: service every 30 minutes from 7:45 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.  

  • Northbound trips: service every 30 minutes from 7:47 p.m. to 10:47 p.m.

Route 2 Chemong timetable preview

Route 3 Park

Weekday and Saturday hourly service added to evenings:

  • Southbound from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Northbound from 8:33 p.m. to 10:33 p.m.

No change to Sunday service.

Route 3 Park timetable preview

Route 4 Weller

Weekday and Saturday hourly service added to evenings:

  • Southbound from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Northbound from 7:32 p.m. to 11:32 p.m.

No change to Sunday service.

Route 4 Weller timetable preview

Route 5 The Parkway

Weekday and Saturday evening hourly service added:

  • Southbound from 7:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. Late night trips will operate on full route.

  • Northbound from 8:10 p.m. to 11:10 p.m. Late night trips will operate on full route.

Sunday

  • Late night trips will operate on full route, both northbound and southbound.

Route 5 The Parkway timetable preview

Route 6 Sherbrooke

Weekday and Saturday evening hourly service added:

  • Westbound from 7:10 p.m. to 11:10 p.m.

  • Eastbound from 7:10 p.m. to 11:10 p.m.

No change to Sunday service.

Route 6 Sherbrooke timetable preview

Route 7 Lansdowne

Route 7 Lansdowne will change to the fall/winter seasonal route using the Maria Street bridge and Rogers Street.

Weekday

  • Westbound: 7:10 p.m. 7B trip has been suspended.

  • Eastbound: 6:30 p.m. 7B trip has been suspended.

Saturday eastbound and westbound routes:

  • hourly service added from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Route 7 Lansdowne timetable preview

Route 8 Monaghan

Weekday and Saturday:

  • Hourly service added from 8:15 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. on both northbound and southbound routes.

No change to Sunday service.

Route 8 Monaghan timetable preview

Route 9 Parkhill

Weekday and Saturday:

  • Westbound: hourly service added from 8:15 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.

  • Eastbound: hourly service from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

No change to Sunday service.

Route 9 Parkhill timetable preview

Route 10 Technology

  • Morning service: the 6:45 a.m. departure will now leave the terminal at 6:40 a.m.

Afternoon trip times will shift from a 35-minute to a 40-minute round trip to improve time performance.

  • Departures from the Terminal will include trips at 2:15 p.m., 2:55 p.m., 3:35 p.m., and 4:15 p.m.

  • An additional evening trip has been added at 10:35 p.m. and will hold at O’Brien Drive until 11:10 p.m. for passengers.

Route 10 Technology timetable preview

statutory holidays

Three central City of Peterborough infrastructure projects continue into winter 2023/2024, resulting in the ongoing Peterborough Transit detours listed below:  

  • Lansdowne Street from Park to George: Out-of-service stops in both directions affecting Chemong Route 2, Lansdowne Route 7A and Technology Route 10.

  • Armour Road from Hunter Street to Clifton Street: Detour on Lansdowne Route 7A northbound trips via Rogers to Dufferin.

  • Parkhill Road to George Street: Detour on Parkhill Route 9 and Water Route 11A via McDonnel Street.

Customers with questions on the route schedules can contact Peterborough Transit directly by phone at 705-745-0525 or by email at transitoperations@peterborough.ca.

Service Updates

Customers are encouraged to check their schedules and stay up-to-date with adjustments to Transit routes, including weather delays, service interruptions and cancellations:

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

James A. Gifford Causeway to Reopen at Noon After Last Friday's Emergency Closing For Repairs

/

The James A. Gifford Causeway is reopening at noon after emergency repairs have been completed, announced on Friday morning.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough County.

Peterborough County announced last Friday that emergency repairs had to be done and had closed the Causeway for a week.

One lift of asphalt has been applied to the roadway however, intermittent lane closures are still occurring due to the remaining required work.

Lane closures and traffic flagging are in place until mid-November. Peterborough County says drivers should expect continued delays due to high traffic volumes.

“Peterborough County would like to thank the community for its understanding and patience during this emergency closure and the ongoing construction rehabilitation,” as stated in a press release.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City Council to Reduce Speed Limit On Woodglade Boulevard; Installing Crosswalks Where Child Died In March

/

City Council has endorsed reducing the speed limit from 50 to 40 kilometres per hour and implementing a Community Safety Zone on Woodglade Boulevard between Sherbrooke Street and Kawartha Heights Boulevard and installing crosswalks near the area where a child was struck by a vehicle and died in March.

File Photo.

A traffic operational review was conducted on the Council’s direction to assess the existing traffic conditions on Woodglade Boulevard between Kawartha Heights Boulevard and Sherbrooke Street according to a press release. The technical assessment included a review of vehicle speed and volume, collision history, intersection sightlines and pedestrian activity.

It showed that vehicle speed and volume are comparable to other high-capacity collector roadways in Peterborough. Three collisions have been reported in the past six years.

The Intersection sightline review recommends reducing the posted speed limit or provide advance warning signs for northbound drivers.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Emergency Closing of James A. Gifford Causeway Closing at 7 p.m. On Friday For Emergency Repairs

/

Peterborough County has issued an emergency closing of the James A. Gifford Causeway to all traffic beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday for urgent unforeseen repairs.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

This must be completed immediately to avoid a significant safety risk to the travelling public according to the County.

Crews are working extended hours to rectify the situation with expected reopening for next Friday.

Detours will be in place during the unexpected construction and repairs. 

“Peterborough County realizes that this unexpected situation is disruptive and apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause,” as stated in a press release.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

City Launches New Peterborough Transit Tool to Track Bus Locations

/

Peterborough Transit has soft-launched a new online tool to allow riders to track the location of their bus and plan their trips in real-time. 

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

The tool provides bus locations, predicted arrival and departure information as well and service changes for all fixed route transit operations. 

“This is a key advancement to transit service in Peterborough,” said Councillor Keith Riel. “Knowing where your bus is before you leave home is a game changer for transit customers.” 

The new tool is available on the Peterborough Transit Routes and Schedules page and is tool is mobile-friendly, with full functionality on smartphones and tablets. Transit customers who don’t have access to the internet can call 705-745-0525 to find out the real-time location of their bus. 

“The Trip Planner will allow customers to ride with confidence, providing reliable, step-by-step navigation from one destination to another, anywhere within the route system in real-time or for planning trips in advance,” said Riel.

Route Information 

Users can search the site based on the route of a transit stop. The map shows the real-time location of the bus(es) and their travel direction. Users can set favourite routes within the tool for enhanced convenience. 

Trip Planner 

The Trip Planner enables transit customers to select a starting location and a destination and set a time and date to see the suggested route and predicted travel time. 

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Peterborough Transit Making Route Changes Beginning Sept. 3

/

Peterborough Transit is implementing route service changes beginning on Sept. 3, announced on Monday afternoon.

File Photo.

The changes will streamline some routes, improving efficiency and helping to ensure buses are on schedule according to a press release. It also accommodates seasonal transit when schools resume and businesses return to regular operation after the summer season.

Late-night service returns on Route 5 The Parkway and Route 6 Sherbrooke. Route 11 and 11A Water will resume weekday service. Peterborough Transit will continue using conventional and on-demand service on weeknights, Saturdays and statutory holidays.

The following are the route changes:

Route 4: Weller

  • Route 4 Weller will travel to the Museum from Sherbrooke Street at Woodglade Boulevard via the Peterborough Terminal in the eastbound direction and the reverse in the westbound direction. There is a new bus stop on Glenforest Boulevard at Denure Drive in the westbound direction.

  • Route 4 Weller will no longer be servicing the Chandler Crescent area. Route 9 Parkhill will now service this area.  

Route 5: The Parkway Southbound / Route 8 Monaghan Southbound

  • Route 5 The Parkway and Route 8 Monaghan, in their southbound direction, will now be servicing new stops at the Shorelines Casino and the GO Transit park-and-ride lot on Fisher Drive. These currently service these stops in the northbound direction.

Route 6: Sherbrooke

  • Route 6 Sherbrooke will now travel from Sherbrooke Street to Woodglade Boulevard, then to Kawartha Heights Boulevard, to Spillsbury Drive, to Fortye Gate, to Foryte Drive, to Stenson Boulevard, to Fleming College Way and the reverse in the eastbound direction.

  • Route 6 Sherbrooke will no longer travel on Brealey Drive to Fleming College. Route 9 Parkhill will now service this area. 

Route 9: Parkhill

  • Route 9 Parkhill will continue west on Parkhill Road to service Chandler Crescent. From Parkhill Road, the route will turn left onto Brealey Drive to Fleming College and then reverse in the opposite direction. There will be new bus stops in both directions on Brealey Drive at Glenforest Boulevard and on Brealey Drive at Ireland Drive. There will also be a new stop in the westbound direction at Chandler Crescent.

  • Route 9 Parkhill will no longer travel from Parkhill Road to Ravenwood Drive to Glenforest Boulevard, to Woodglade Boulevard, to Kawartha Heights Boulevard, to Pillsbury Drive, to Fortye Gate, to Fortye Drive, to Stenson Boulevard and to Fleming College Way. Route 6 Sherbrooke will now service this area. 

Route 5: The Parkway

Evening weekday and Saturday Route 5A The Parkway trips will depart hourly:

  • Southbound from the terminal to Fleming College between 8:02 p.m. and 11:02 p.m.

  • Northbound from Fleming College to the Peterborough Terminal between 8:05 p.m. and 3:05 a.m.

Route 6: Sherbrooke

The weekday departure from Trent Bata at 7:40 p.m. will end at the Peterborough Terminal.

Evening weekday and Saturday trips will operate as follows:

  • From Trent Bata to the terminal: Every 30 minutes from 8:10 p.m. to 11:10 p.m. and hourly from 11:10 p.m. to 2:10 a.m.

  • From The terminal to Trent Bata: Every 30 minutes from 8:02 p.m. to 11:32 p.m.

  • From The terminal to Trent Bata via Armour Rd and Trent Gzowski: Hourly from 8:32 p.m. to 2:32 a.m.

  • From The terminal to Fleming College:  Hourly from 7:32 p.m. to 2:32 a.m.

  • From Fleming College to the terminal: Hourly from 7:40 p.m. to 10:40 p.m.

Route 11 and 11A: Water

Weekday service resumes following the summer break, providing direct service from Trent University to Traill College and the Peterborough Terminal.

Construction Detours 

Three major City of Peterborough infrastructure projects are ongoing into fall 2023, resulting in the ongoing Peterborough Transit detours listed below:  

  • Lansdowne Street from Park to George: Out-of-service stops in both directions affecting Lansdowne Route 7A, Chemong Route 2, and Technology Route 10.

  • Armour Road from Hunter Street to Clifton Street: Detour on Lansdowne Route 7A northbound trips via Rogers to Dufferin

  • Parkhill Road to George Street: Detour on Parkhill Route 9 and Water Route 11A via McDonnel Street

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Eastside Transportation Study Review Open Until August 21

/

The City of Peterborough has posted the Eastside Transportation Study for an official review period from July 20 to Aug. 21.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

The review is required under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. City Council approved in principle the study recommendations on March 28.

The study assessed transportation infrastructure needs and priorities associated with development planned in the east portion of Peterborough. It will seek to provide recommendations for needed improvements to the roadway and active transportation network within and beyond the study area.

Generally, recommended improvements that were identified through the study include:

  • Implementing the existing city-wide Transportation Master Plan, Cycling Master Plan and Transit Study recommendations

  • Intersection modifications

  • Improvements to Trent-Severn Waterway and Otonabee River crossings

  • Road network expansion and realignment

The realignment of Ashburnham Drive between Maniece Avenue and Old Norwood Road/McFarlane Street and the replacement of the McFarlane Street bridge across the Trent-Severn Waterway were identified as priority projects according to a press release.

A more detailed study would be required for some of the recommended projects identified including budget approval for each project.

The study is available at connectptbo.ca/EastSideTS or can be viewed in hard copy at City Hall, 500 George St. N.

Comments can be sent to the study team by August 21:

  • Robert Dunford, Transportation Planning Manager, City of Peterborough, 500 George St. N., Peterborough, Ontario K9H 3R9, 705-742-7777 ext. 1867, EastSideTS@peterborough.ca

  • Vinod Soman, Transportation Senior Project Manager, City of Peterborough, 500 George St. N., Peterborough, Ontario K9H 3R9, 705-742-7777 ext. 1749, EastSideTS@peterborough.ca

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.