Change speed zones now!

The past two columns have been about highways within towns. The issue I have with Highways, or Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure, is that they have a hugely difficult process for doing something as simple as changing speed zones. The particular question I have is: Why have they not lowered the speed limit east of Neepawa on Hwy. 16 at the eastern boundary of the town limits? The amount of traffic on that piece of road is going to lead to accidents and possibly death that could well be at a reduced risk of happening if the speed limit was lowered. Currently it is 100 km/hr and that is senseless.

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure has promised yet another study to see if they will “allow” a speed reduction. In response to one of my earlier columns, a reader emailed me that maybe “some concerned Neepawa citizens could go out and move them at night.” I can just imagine how big a fine that would cause.

It seems that speed limits are not applied fairly or sensibly. Quite correctly, the speed entering Rapid City, from a long way out is 50 km/ hr. But Neepawa is 100.

I asked Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure if the Town of Neepawa was the Traffic Control Authority within the boundaries of the Town of Neepawa. Well, yes and no. Here’s their answer: “Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure (MTI) is the traffic authority for much of the provincial highway network as shown on the attached map.”

When I contacted the government about the map they promised me and didn’t send, they did send it later and I printed it out. Seems that a road is not just a road. They must have complicated categories.