The city is considering looking next year at the traffic using Tamarack Drive in Porter Creek, and whether anything needs to be done about speeding on the residential street.

Resident Chelsea Larouche, however, still maintains that something needs to happen much sooner.

The proposal is under consideration as part of the city’s 2018 capital budget, which has yet to be adopted.

Larouche has been calling for the city to install traffic-calming measures on the street in light of numerous speed problems on the road.

She has presented a petition to council with signatures from residents of 59 homes in the area showing support for speed humps to be added.

Larouche has also called for a lowering of the speed limit to 30 km/h on residential neighbourhood streets, and has broached the issue with her MLA, who has brought it forward to the city as well.

After she raised the matter in a presentation to council last month, the city’s traffic committee discussed it again at its Nov. 22 meeting.

Bylaw manager Dave Pruden then sent a letter to Larouche highlighting the potential plans for next year, pending budget approval and responding to her earlier points.

He noted the city has to consider a number of factors around signs and speed humps, including requirements with the Transportation Association of Canada regulations.

“Having traffic data information for analysis allows the city review and attempt to accommodate a broad range of needs,” Pruden wrote.

“Consequently, a traffic study would be an unavoidable step in this process of moving ahead.

“It is worth noting that with the installation of speed humps, an unintended consequences is that traffic may choose an alternative residential route(s), increasing vehicle volume on a different street.

“Installation of several speed humps on city streets for slowing vehicles may be excessive and promote unnecessary costs that come with installation and maintenance of speed humps and snow removal, while not being the best solution in addressing a speeding issue.”

He then goes on to note the slower responses that could result from a speed hump for emergency responders needing to access the road, as well as transit, waste pickup and snowplows.

“Therefore, the city is trying to explore all options and impacts,” Pruden wrote.

Larouche has highlighted the installation of speed humps in an alleyway on Mallard Drive and at the roadway to Porter Creek Secondary School.

Pruden, however, pointed out the city doesn’t plow alleyways. As well, the roadway to the school is not under the city’s jurisdiction (it falls under the territory’s purview).

Speaking to the Star earlier this week, Larouche argued the city already has all the information it needs. The petition shows the impact speeding is having on residents in the area, she pointed out.

“The information is gathered,” she said, continuing to take issue with the city’s “standard reply” it keeps sending her on its plans for 2018.

Larouche has also provided the city with videos to support her arguments.

The city, however, maintains it will work to get information about traffic in the area before proceeding with any traffic-calming measures.

Provided the budget is approved, Pruden said Wednesday, the city would install traffic counting tubes that measure speed on the street, likely next summer.

“Should the study analysis warrant further investigation, additional steps may be taken,” he noted.

A total of $25,000 is outlined in the proposed budget for a traffic-calming tool kit that would be used for Tamarack Drive.

Council is expected to vote on the final two readings of the capital budget at its meeting Dec. 11.

The proposed operating budget for 2018 has not yet come forward.