June 19, 2007 - - In an effort to prompt motorists to voluntarily lower their speeds when crossing the International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie, the International Bridge Administration (IBA) has installed two new advance warning radar speed signs.
"Safety is our top priority and we are concerned that vehicles, particularly commercial transports, frequently exceed posted limits of 30 mph (45 km) for passenger vehicles, and 20 mph (30 km) for transports," said Phil Becker, general manager of the IBA. "This practice endangers our maintenance workers, contractors working on the bridge, and other motorists."
In response, last year the IBA installed a comprehensive remote-controlled traffic monitoring camera system that can detect vehicle speed. This year, IBA staff purchased and installed two radar-equipped signs that monitor and display the speed of passing vehicles. It's hoped that the new signs, which are placed above the posted speed limits, along with the video surveillance, will encourage motorists to slow down.
One sign is posted in each direction on the bridge, on the down slopes of the Canadian and U.S. arches. The sign in the northbound lane displays speed in miles per hour; the sign in the southbound lane shows speed in kilometers per hour. The signs can flash a strobe light if an excessive speed is registered, and can store speed data that can be downloaded to a computer for analysis.
"This initiative is meant to encourage voluntary speed compliance," said Becker. "We are also working with local law enforcement officials on speed enforcement on an as-needed basis this summer."
Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge: Bridging Our Past, Connecting Our Future
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