New Playground Speed Limits Slowly Changing To 30 Km/hr

By Robert Thomas

The City is finalizing the installation of 30 km/hr speed zones on roadways adjacent to 18 playgrounds.

The move will see the hours for reduced speeds while at the same time dropping the reduced speed of 40 km/hr to 30 km/hr.

The initiative started last year when schools changed their hours for speed reductions plus as well as dropping the reduced speed from 40 km/hr to 30 km/hr.

Last year’s move was highly controversial - with many opponents questioning the need for a “tax grab” with the City justifying the move as being safety driven as well a need for Moose Jaw to match the standards used in other communities.

The new signage just went up on the corner of Saskatchewan Street West and Third Avenue NW - MJ Independent photo

At the present time the signage of the two year program is being changed.

In some areas pointed out by drivers the new zones are seen as misleading and unnecessary.

For example the west bound lanes of Saskatchewan Street West go to 30 km/hr by Third Avenue NW only to revert to 50 km/hr just before the Fourth Avenue NW traffic circle stop sign.

Once you start going west from a full stop the 50 km/hr reverts back to a 30 km/hr zone - for King George School - for two blocks.

A similar up and down speed zone system - critics say makes no sense - exists heading east on Saskatchewan Street West alongside King George School and Henleaze Park.

There is a grace period before there will be active enforcement but drivers need to be aware you will be ticketed if you exist the previous 40 km/hr speed restriction.

The Grace Period will begin on May 20, 2025, and continue until 11:59 pm on June 20, 2025. At this time, officers will enforce all zones according to the posted signage at that location.