*[further to a previous article re: the chief medical officer in Toronto calling for reduced residential speed limits across the board, see highlighted text below - anders]*

source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2012/07/18/mb-city-council-wrap...

Winnipeg council wraps session for summer

Winnipeg's city council checked off a number of outstanding issues from its list Wednesday as it closed shop for the summer.

Among the decisions made, council approved reduced speeds in school zones, dropping to 30 km/h from the present 50.

Implementing the move affecting 250 school zones will be expensive, Mayor Sam Katz admitted.

"You're talking about $4,000 a school — that's No. 1," he said.

"There's concrete involved: You put these in concrete bases, you erect them, you have to manufacture the signs. You know, this isn't like a yard sale and you throw up a sign. It's probably more than what most people would think."

However, Katz said he believes the city's Public Works Department is asking for more money than what might be needed to ensure it won't have to come back to the city for additional funding.

Because setting speed limits is a provincial responsibility under the Highway Traffic Act, the city must wait for the province to give the bill final reading, which is expected by the end of the year.

Once approved, the signs are expected to be erected by spring.

Two councillors wanted to extend the reduction to Winnipeg's residential streets, a proposal that will be considered in the fall.