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Report To: Council
Date of Meeting: June 22, 2026 Report Number: PUB-005-26
Authored By: Slav Potrykus, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, Public Works
Submitted By: Lee-Ann Reck, Deputy CAO, Public Services
Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO
By-law Number: Resolution Number:
File Number:
Report Subject: Lovers Lane Traffic Report
Recommendations:
1.That Report PUB-005-26, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2.That Council approve the reduction of the posted speed limit on Lovers Lane to 30
km/h;
3.That the By-law attached to Report PUB-005-26, as Attachment 1, be approved; and
4.That all interested parties listed in Report PUB-005-26, be advised of Council’s
decision.
2026-073 C-173-26
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Report PUB-005-26
Report Overview
This report addresses resident concerns raised during a delegation at the June 1, 2026
General Government Committee meeting. While many traffic calming measures provide
delegated authority to the Deputy CAO of Public Services, the recommended reduction in
speed requires Council approval. Staff require additional time to work with residents and the
Region of Durham and analyze data to implement additional traffic calming measures to full
address resident concerns.
1. Background
1.1 On June 1, 2026, a delegation of residents from Lovers Lane presented their concerns
at the General Governance Committee meeting. These concerns included inappropriate
speeds, unsafe pedestrian conditions, and cut through traffic. The delegation members
requested measures be considered to address the concerns.
1.2 Arising out of the delegation, the General Government Committee passed the following
Resolution #GG-098-26:
That the Delegation by Noel Gamble and James Hogle, Regarding a Request for
a Reduction in Speed and No Entry Signage on Lovers Lane, Bowmanville, be
received with thanks.; and
That Staff conduct a traffic study, implement any short term and long term
changes necessary, including but not limited to a speed limit reduction.
1.3 Lovers Lane is a paved public street in central Bowmanville and runs east-west between
Liberty Street and Centre Street. The total roadway width is 4.5 meters and there are no
pedestrian facilities along its length.
1.4 During the 2011 reconstruction project, curbs were added to assist with drainage and to
preserve adjacent private yards. There were no other opportunities to improve the
overall operation of the street. The speed limit remained at 50 km/h, as the Ontario
Highway Traffic Act (HTA) at that time did not allow for municipal speed reductions
below the statutory limit.
1.5 Although Lovers Lane is open to two-way traffic, it does not provide sufficient width to
operate as such, and conflicts often occur when two or more vehicles must pass each
other. Vehicles have also been observed to reverse onto Liberty Street, after being
forced out by an eastbound travelling vehicle.
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Report PUB-005-26
1.6 Pedestrians of all ages, including students from the three nearby schools along Liberty
Street and Church Street frequently use Lovers Lane as their commute route, due to its
appeal as a quiet laneway. Any vehicles passing pedestrians along the street often do
so at a very close distance.
1.7 Although the traffic volumes are low, cut through traffic accounts for a significant portion
of the overall traffic. It appears that many of the drivers who cut through, are familiar
with the limitations of Lovers Lane, and do so as quickly as possible to reach the end of
the street to avoid being blocked in.
2. Current Status
2.1 Staff engaged with the residents prior to their delegation to Council and began a robust
review of the street operation. A preliminary traffic data collection and a site observation
were conducted to identify challenges and validate resident concerns. At this time, staff
initiated discussions with the Region of Durham to review the observed undesired and
unsafe vehicle maneuvers at the intersection of Lovers Lane and Liberty Street.
2.2 Residents and staff identified challenges associated with the current statutory speed
limit of 50 km/h. Staff reviewed applicable road design and operational guidance,
including the Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) Geometric Design Guide for
Canadian Roads, which emphasises aligning roadway geometry with appropriate
operating speeds. Staff also considered the 2017 amendment to the Ontario Highway
Traffic Act, which authorized municipalities to establish reduced speed limits based on
roadway geometry and surrounding conditions.
2.3 Based on this review, staff recommend that Council approve a reduction in the speed
limit on Lovers Lane from 50 km/hr to 30 km/hr. The constrained roadway width,
absence of pedestrian infrastructure, and observed operating characteristics indicate
that a reduced speed limit is appropriate and consistent with applicable design
Guidance. Staff will continue to analyse supporting data, which is being collected over
the next several weeks. This includes operational analysis during peak and off peak
daytime hours, pedestrian conflicts, speeds and a cut through traffic study, as it directly
relates to the Traffic Calming Policy.
2.4 Staff are also preparing an Open House event to invite the residents for discussions
about the current and future operation of Lovers Lane. This is planned to take place on
June 30, 2026.
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3. Next Steps
3.1 If approved by Council, staff will immediately implement the speed reduction and
complete appropriate signage of the reduction. Once implemented, staff will continue
further analysis and engagement with resident.
3.2 Staff are preparing an Open House event to continue to engage the residents of Lovers
Lane. This will provide an opportunity to gain input on the current and future operation of
Lovers Lane. This is planned to take place on June 30, 2026, and staff are in the
process of inviting residents.
3.3 Staff will continue to collect and analyze supporting data over the coming weeks,
including traffic operations during peak and off-peak periods, pedestrian conflict, vehicle
speed and cut through traffic in accordance with the Traffic Calming Policy. In addition
to the recommended speed reduction, staff will continue to assess detailed operational
condition to determine next steps. Staff have initiated consultation with the Region of
Durham regarding turn restrictions and will advance these discussions upon completion
of the data analysis.
4. Financial Considerations
The proposed speed limit reduction on Lovers Lane will result in the installation of four
speed limit signs. The installation will be included in the Public Works Traffic Division
current operating budget, no additional funds are required.
5. Strategic Plan
This action falls under the Strategic Plan section C.2 Residents are Safe and Healthy.
6. Climate Change
Not Applicable.
7. Concurrence
Not Applicable.
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8. Conclusion
It is respectfully recommended that the speed limit on Lovers Lane be reduced to 30
km/h. Staff will continue to analyze the street operation and continue to engage with
residents of Lovers Lane to assess the most appropriate course of action aside from the
speed reduction and implement measures through the delegated authority under the
Traffic Calming Policy.
Staff Contact: Slav Potrykus, Traffic Engineering Supervisor, 905-623-3379 extension 2315 or
spotrykus@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – By-law to reduce the speed limit on Lovers Lane to 30 km/h.
Interested Parties:
The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decisio n:
Noel Gamble
James Hogle
Attachment 1 of Report PUB-005-26
Page 1 of 2
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The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington
By-law YYYY-NN
Being a by-law to amend the Traffic and Parking By-law 2014-059, as amended.
Whereas, Section 128 of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, R.S.O. 1990, Chapter H.8,
provides that the council of a municipality may by by-law prescribe a rate of speed for
motor vehicles driven on a highway or portion of a highway under its jurisdi ction; and
Whereas By-law 2014-059 was enacted by Clarington Council to regulate traffic and
parking on highways, private property and municipal property;
Now therefore the Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington enacts as follows:
1.That the following lines be added to Schedule 12, of the Traffic and Parking By-
law 2014-059, as amended:
Lovers Lane, Centre Street, Durham Region Road 14, 30 km/h
Schedule “A” to
By-law YYYY-NNN
Page 1 of 2
Effective Date
2.That this by-law shall come into force and effect on the date the by-law is
deemed passed under Part VI of the Municipal Act.
Passed in Open Council this XX day of MMMM, YYYY.
_____________________________________
Name, Mayor
_____________________________________
Name, Municipal Clerk
By signing this by-law on XXXX XX, YYYY, Mayor Adrian Foster will not exercise the
power to veto this by-law and this by-law is deemed passed as of this date