Speed limits changing in school zones; region installing new speed camera

There are three community safety zones in Fort Erie and two of them will see speed limit changes in the near future, according to a recent news release and Niagara Region public works committee agenda from March.

A new speed camera is coming to Fort Erie as well. Starting this month until August, motorists could be digitally ticketed by a camera on Garrison Road between Rosehill and Spears roads, says the Region’s website.

Following the launch of the Automated Speed Enforcement program in Niagara Region in 2023, residents expressed concerns that the current signage and speed limits in these zones can be “confusing for drivers,” says the news release.

A recent review identified ways to simplify signage and review speed limits near schools and to make the program easier to understand for drivers.

Fort Erie’s community safety zones are on Central Avenue near Our Lady of Victory Catholic School, along with one on Garrison Road in front of Garrison Road Public School and another slightly west in front of Greater Fort Erie Secondary School (GFESS).

The Region said in its release that work on new signage and changes to speed limits will occur in May in eight community safety zones, but did not specify which ones.

But within the March 4 public works agenda, it’s explained in a chart that Central Avenue’s 40km/h limit will not change.

In front of Garrison Road Public School, the current speed limit is a “flashing” 40km/h during school hours, while it’s 60km/h outside of school hours.

The future limit there will be a “signed” 50, reads a chart in the report related to this matter in the public works agenda.

At GFESS, there is a flashing 50km/h when school is in, a reduction from 60km/h when classes are not in session.

Signage will be erected to indicate a constant 50 km/h limit at that site, reads the report.

To provide clearer and greater consistency around speed limits and signage, the Region is creating clear criteria for the approval of school zones and when speed limits should be reduced in these areas.

There will also be move to constant speed limits that apply at all times of the day in most school zones, as well as improved signage and additional traffic calming measures to further improve safety, says the Region’s news release.

“For clarity, speed limits will continue to be reduced in areas directly in front of schools only, with the remainder of the community safety zone remaining at the normal posted speed limit,” the Region says.

Traffic calming measures such as flex-post bollards and new pavement markings will be implemented.

Speed enforcement will not begin until all traffic calming measures are fully installed and operational in these areas.

This is the first phase of a “broader road safety rollout,” the Region says.

Speed limit and signage updates in additional community safety zones will continue throughout 2025 and 2026, part of the Region’s Vision Zero program.

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