Despite passing a receive-and-file motion on Monday night, Moose Jaw city council wants to keep the discussion going about traffic calming alternatives for Main Street North. 

Discussions began in June when the Moose Jaw Downtown Association requested to reduce the speed on Main Street from Oxford Street to Manitoba Street from 50 km/h. 

During that June meeting, city council passed motions to direct city administration to report back on traffic calming alternatives and referred the matter to the Moose Jaw Police Service for more information. 

A letter from the police service said that the two main causes of accidents are distracted driving and medical emergencies, but speed was not a factor. With that, the police decided to not provide a recommendation. 

Mayor Clive Tolley said the main issue seems to be at the base of the north hill on Main Street between Oxford Street and Ross Street. He recalled sitting down for a meal at The Mad Greek’s outdoor patio this summer. 

“We got exhaust, noise, dirt, it just wasn't very pleasant, so I can understand where this is coming from,” Tolley said. 

Traffic calming measures such as narrowing the road, parking lanes and curb extensions are already in place, but they are further south in the downtown core. 

The idea was floated amongst councillors about installing a radar unit that flashes if you are going over the speed limit. 

City manager Jim Puffalt said the radar could also help city council to make a data-based decision. 

“I think there's a potential with a temporary radar unit there that could start flashing when people are driving too fast, but also get data as to what the actual speed of the traffic is,” Puffalt said. 

While no decision has been made yet, city council and city administration said they will continue to work with the downtown association and the police to come up with ideas to slow traffic through downtown.