Traffic Calming Policy Update

Share Traffic Calming Policy Update on Facebook Share Traffic Calming Policy Update on Twitter Share Traffic Calming Policy Update on Linkedin Email Traffic Calming Policy Update link

The City of St. John's is updating its Traffic Calming Policy, which was developed in 2011 to better manage the numerous requests coming from residents.

For any street to be eligible for traffic calming, it should pass all eligibility criteria set in the policy. Eligible streets are then scored and ranked to determine their priority for implementation of a traffic calming measure. You can read about the full process in the FAQs.

Since traffic calming is a public-driven process, and is focused on addressing neighbourhood concerns, the City would like your input on some proposed changes.

Council has recommended considering 12 updates to this policy, grouped into two themes: 

  • The Traffic Calming Process 
  • The Project Selection and Scoring Criteria

To learn more about traffic calming in general, the need for policy update, and the two survey themes, please see the FAQs. You can read about the current Traffic Calming Policy and Council’s discussions of this policy change in March 2021 and December 2021. 

Then, please respond to the below Surveys related to the 12 points and let us know what you think of the proposed changes. You can answer as many or as few of the survey questions as you would like. If you have questions or comments, please use the Questions and Comments tool below.

City staff will review and consider your feedback in the recommendation to Council, and it will be considered when the new process is finalized. Any approved changes would be communicated before implementation.

The City of St. John's is updating its Traffic Calming Policy, which was developed in 2011 to better manage the numerous requests coming from residents.

For any street to be eligible for traffic calming, it should pass all eligibility criteria set in the policy. Eligible streets are then scored and ranked to determine their priority for implementation of a traffic calming measure. You can read about the full process in the FAQs.

Since traffic calming is a public-driven process, and is focused on addressing neighbourhood concerns, the City would like your input on some proposed changes.

Council has recommended considering 12 updates to this policy, grouped into two themes: 

  • The Traffic Calming Process 
  • The Project Selection and Scoring Criteria

To learn more about traffic calming in general, the need for policy update, and the two survey themes, please see the FAQs. You can read about the current Traffic Calming Policy and Council’s discussions of this policy change in March 2021 and December 2021. 

Then, please respond to the below Surveys related to the 12 points and let us know what you think of the proposed changes. You can answer as many or as few of the survey questions as you would like. If you have questions or comments, please use the Questions and Comments tool below.

City staff will review and consider your feedback in the recommendation to Council, and it will be considered when the new process is finalized. Any approved changes would be communicated before implementation.

  • Traffic Calming Policy Approved

    Share Traffic Calming Policy Approved on Facebook Share Traffic Calming Policy Approved on Twitter Share Traffic Calming Policy Approved on Linkedin Email Traffic Calming Policy Approved link

    Today, City Council approved an updated Traffic Calming Policy following public engagement and a comprehensive review of the former process in 2022.

    The new policy clearly defines how to evaluate whether a given street is eligible for traffic calming, and what steps need to take place throughout the process. The updated process includes a petition from people who live on a street, data collection on site, and installation of trial temporary measures. Information about the process and policy is outlined on the City Council agenda.

    Traffic calming uses mostly physical traffic management techniques that aim to reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behaviour, and improve conditions for all street users. Permanent installation of speed cushions this year include:

    • University Avenue

    • Ennis Avenue

    • Quidi Vidi Road

    • Craigmillar Avenue

    • Southside Road

    Streets where temporary traffic calming measures will be trialed this summer include:

    • Baird Place between Vinnicombe Street to Wicklow Street

    • Frecker Drive between Cowan Avenue and Hamlyn Road

    • Stavanger Drive between Snows Lane and Shortall Street

    • Empire Avenue between Blackmarsh Road and Jensen Camp Road

    • Rotary Drive

    The City of St. John’s is committed to building a balanced transportation network to get people and goods where they want to go safely.


  • What We Heard: Traffic Calming Policy Review

    Share What We Heard: Traffic Calming Policy Review on Facebook Share What We Heard: Traffic Calming Policy Review on Twitter Share What We Heard: Traffic Calming Policy Review on Linkedin Email What We Heard: Traffic Calming Policy Review link

    The City of St. John’s has released the summary of ‘What We Heard’ during public engagement for Traffic Calming Policy review and update.

    The purpose of the two-week public engagement process was to educate residents about the traffic calming policy review, and to collect feedback to help shape a revised policy focusing on the processes for determining and implementing projects including scoring and criteria.

    Feedback collected during engagement has been shared with lead staff in Transportation Engineering and will be presented to City Council during Committee of the Whole on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

    Public Engagement for this project included approximately 1,100 visits to EngageStJohns.ca; 938 unique visits to the engage page; 314 engaged visitors (people who posted questions/ comments or answered surveys), 32 submissions posted on the engage page and 13 email submissions.

    Traffic calming remains an important topic to St. John’s residents, with numerous questions, comments, and emails in this engagement. The complete ‘What We Heard’ document and updates on this project can be found in the Documents section of this project page, or here. Next steps will include bringing a revised policy to Council at a future Committee of the Whole for approval.