Councillors race through traffic-calming funds

As this term of council winds down, all but two councillors have spent most of the $160,000 they were each given to put up stakes and signs in their wards to slow speeders.

Safety on Ottawa roads is a common concern theyhearfrom residents.

Each of the 23 councillorsreceived$40,000 a year in each of the past four years to spend on"traffic-calming" methods in his or her ward.

Councillorsget to buysolar-powered signsthat display motoristspeeds, as well as speed-limit stakes, pavement markings andplanters to install where residents want drivers to slow down.

Pricier, permanent structures such as raised crossings andspeed bumps are usually installedthrough more complicated neighbourhood studies.

'I don't want to spray money around'

Coun. Rick Chiarelli, who is running for re-election in Nepean's College ward, was on pace to spend $72,000 of his traffic-calming budget less than halfthe $160,000 he was allotted.

"Just because money's there doesn't mean you spend it," he said. "I don't want to spray money around just to empty the tank. I only spend the money when it's going to produce results."

He explained that two streetsin his ward Centrepointeand Viewmount drives arebeing studied for more extensive, costly modifications.

Chiarellisaid he's saving his remaining budget to "top up" those projects.

On streets wherecheaper, flexible stakes were appropriate, Chiarelli said he put them in.

Rideau-Goulbourncouncillor spends the least

But while Chiarellididn't spendall the money in hisfund,healso suggested the city doesn't spend enough on stopping speeders.

"If you're only putting $40,000 in a ward, that's symbolism more than anything else, because it isn't going to solve many problems.... We're almost like being the physicians who prescribe antibiotics regardless just to make the patient happy."

Coun. Scott Moffattof Rideau-Goulbournwas surprised to hear his own office had spent the least of all the wards at $35,700.

Many devices don't suit rural roads, he explained.

His office was slow to receive requests for traffic calming but is receiving more now thatthe flashing speed boards and signs are more commonplace, Moffattadded.

Signs 'quite effective'

In Orlans, outgoing Coun. Bob Monetteused his budget to put up flashing speed signsand paint speed limits onpavementaround all 19 of his ward's schools.

The speed boards don't just offer drivers the courtesy of telling them their speeds, they also collect and send data to the cloud.

Monette said it helps councillors determine how many vehicles gobyat what speedson a given day, so they can work withpolice and send officers to target speeders.

"They tend to slow down, so it has proven to be quite effective," Monette said.

The fund is supposed to end with this council term, but manycouncillorsexpect the council that'selected Oct. 22to continue the fundor even increase it.

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