Walkersville weighs speed cameras, raised crosswalks and roundabout for Devilbiss Bridge Road

Commissioners discussed multiple traffic-calming options for Devilbiss Bridge Road and the adjacent school zone during the Oct. 8 meeting, but took no binding action.

Staff and consultants presented a range of measures: temporary speed signs, raised crosswalks, automatic speed-enforcement cameras in the school zone and a potential roundabout at the Devilbiss Bridge–Glade intersection. The consultant noted that a prior speed camera deployment did not significantly slow drivers during the study periods and cautioned that companies that operate automated-enforcement programs typically test a location first to ensure sufficient violations exist to make the program viable.

"For it to break even, you have to get a certain number of tickets per month," a public-works staff member said, adding that state law requires law-enforcement review and confirmation before citations are issued. Commissioners asked whether the machines trigger only for drivers 12 miles-per-hour or more over the limit; staff replied that local systems typically log speeds and that the state’s enforcement thresholds and fines have changed recently.

Several commissioners favoured physical traffic-calming such as raised crosswalks or a roundabout — measures that staff said have more reliable effects on driver behavior but can be costlier and may require right-of-way adjustments. The staff recommendation was to return with cost estimates and potential grant sources; commissioners directed staff to gather additional information and to present options at a future meeting.

Next steps: staff will compile cost estimates (including equipment, required law-enforcement review, and ongoing processing fees) and investigate possible grant funding and feasibility for a roundabout; commissioners will revisit the topic at a later date.