The MLA for La Verendrye is stepping in after a Marchand resident raised concerns about a speed limit along PR 210.
Jacquie Loeppky started collecting signatures in hopes of lowering the speed on a residential stretch of the highway. About a year ago, the speed limit was increased to 100 kilometres per hour.
After receiving no response from the Rural Municipality of La Broquerie or the Manitoba Department of Transportation, Loeppky reached out to MLA Konrad Narth for help.
Narth admits he was unaware of the concern until speaking with Loeppky, but says he is now working on the issue.
“It's something that I didn't recognize, no one else had reached out to me that this was a concern, but after speaking to Jacquie, how she had explained it, it's a frustration that I felt during my years on municipal council dealing with the Highway Traffic Board and then the department on changing speed zones within communities.”
After consulting with both the RM of La Broquerie and RM of Piney, as well as local drivers, Narth says the issue had been discussed informally in the past, but no official request was made to the department. He is now working to change that.
“Immediately, I've spoken to the Deputy Minister about this concern in Marchand specifically, and we're going to try to have it recognized, and I think it's something simple and operational, and it can be changed.”
Narth says the presence of the Twisted Root RV Park may have been overlooked by the department during previous reviews.
“That's now being considered, and realizing that the community, along with that, has grown to the edge of town. And I do realize that justification of the department as well, when you have speed zones that are set way out of a community, people don't tend to abide by them.”
He points out that the area has grown significantly, with more traffic and homes nearby.
“I think Twisted Route is now 200 sites. So, there are 200 or more vehicles turning in there on a Friday afternoon and the same thing on Sunday when they're going home. It's important that it's considered along with it being a residential area that now has a 100 kilometre an hour zone when there's a sidewalk. Generally, the community wouldn't put a sidewalk beside a highway outside of town, so it's clear that it's a residential area.”
Loeppky also questioned why the speed limit was changed in the first place. Narth says that answer is still unclear.
“I haven't got all the answers, but I told her that definitely her concern makes perfect sense, and I think for the safety of everyone in the community.”
When he learned about the petition, Narth encouraged a more strategic approach to getting results.
“It's got to be legislatively approved. So, I told her how we can make that happen. But I think we can come to a resolution here without a legislative petition. It may take a couple of weeks, but let's work at that together. And if we aren't getting the ear of government, then let's work on a petition and to show its importance to the Manitoba legislature, and I'd be glad to be the face of that.”
Narth thanked Loeppky for raising the concern and encourages others to reach out when issues arise.
“That's what I'm here for. And like I say, my phone and e-mail are always available to any of the constituents, and we will work through these issues together and hopefully make a change for the better.”