Council passes speed limit reduction and additional measures to protect turtles on Highway 2 East

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

At their Tuesday night meeting, council unanimously passed a motion to enhance turtle protection along a stretch of Highway 2 East, a road known for frequent turtle fatalities due to its proximity to a ecologically important wetland. 

Brought forward by Councillor Lisa Osanic, the motion proposed reducing the speed limit from 80 km/h to 60 km/h and extending the no passing zone between Abbey Dawn Road and St. Lawrence Avenue, with hopes that changes would also improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. 

In addition to these immediate road action items, the motion directs city staff to explore banning fishing on municipal property in turtle habitats.

“Fishing and turtles, they don’t mix. Recreational fishing may seem harmless, but for Canada’s freshwater turtles, it presents a deadly risk,“ said Turtles Kingston founder Mabyn Armstrong before council.

Listen to the full story here.