Responding to public concerns Yorkton Council has decided to increase speed limits on Highway #9 leading into the city.

“City Council approved speed zone changes along Hwy #9 in 2011. Since that time there has been considerable discussion about this change and a desire to restore the speed along this corridor,” detailed a report circulated to the regular meeting of Yorkton Council Monday.

“The Planning & Infrastructure Commission recommended that the speed zones on Hwy #9, from Queen Street to Grain Millers Drive be altered to have the 70 km/hr zone north of York Road be extended to the intersection of the existing service road that leads to Pastryworld Enterprises and SGI. Furthermore, the Commission wanted the 80 km zone be extended from that intersection to the intersection of Hwy #9 and Grain Millers Drive.

The Protective Services Committee agreed with the recommended changes to the speed zones and recommended that there be more signage indicating a reduction in the speed limit.”

Councillor Randy Goulden questioned why concerns about lowered speeds on Highway #10 East were not addressed in the recommendation before Council.

Gord Shaw, Director of Planning and Engineering with the City said another report will be forthcoming to deal with that highway.

Goulden however was not satisfied suggesting it will simply mean confusion for residents and tourists until all the highways are treated the same, so she sat as the only Councillor opposed to the changes.

“I’m very concerned we’re not also looking at Highway 10 East,” she said.