Clarington Traffic Calming measures are expanding across several communities as the municipality introduces new designs aimed at slowing drivers and improving pedestrian safety.
The initiatives include painted chicanes, flexible bollards, repurposed apple bins, permanent speed humps, seasonal speed cushions and new pedestrian crossings.
Several projects are already in place, while others are expected to be completed by the end of summer.
Chicanes added on Mearns Avenue
A pilot project on Mearns Avenue in Bowmanville uses painted, S-shaped curves known as chicanes between Flaxman Avenue and Apple Blossom Boulevard.
The design visually narrows the road and encourages drivers to reduce speed.
Flexible bollards have also been installed to guide vehicles through the curved path.
The municipality selected the location after a traffic study found poor compliance with the 30 km/h school-zone speed limit.
The chicanes are expected to remain in place for approximately one year while municipal staff monitor traffic and evaluate the results.
Apple bins used in Port Darlington
Clarington is also using a less conventional approach on West Beach Road in Port Darlington.
Upcycled apple bins sourced from local orchards have been positioned along the roadway to visually narrow the travel lane and encourage slower driving.
The municipality tested the idea in 2025 and expanded the program this year with 20 additional bins.
The containers also function as planters, with volunteers maintaining flowers, vegetables and other greenery.
The project combines traffic calming with community beautification.
New crossing planned for Nash Road
A new pedestrian crossing is expected to be installed on Nash Road in front of S.T. Worden Public School.
The project will include a curb bump-out on the north side of the roadway.
Curb extensions reduce the distance pedestrians need to cross and can improve visibility between drivers and people waiting to enter the roadway.
The work is expected to be completed by the end of summer.
Raised crosswalk coming to Old Scugog Road
Old Scugog Road in Enniskillen will receive two permanent speed humps in front of Enniskillen Public School.
The municipality also plans to install its first raised pedestrian crosswalk at the location.
Raised crosswalks combine a pedestrian crossing with a raised roadway surface, requiring drivers to slow as they approach.
The project is intended to improve both vehicle-speed control and pedestrian safety near the school.
Speed humps planned in Port of Newcastle
Two permanent speed humps will also be added to Milligan Street in the Port of Newcastle.
The devices are designed to reduce vehicle speeds in residential areas by creating a raised section of roadway that drivers must cross at a slower speed.
Lovers Lane speed limit reduced
The municipality has reduced the speed limit on Lovers Lane to 30 km/h.
Seasonal speed cushions will also be installed.
Unlike full-width speed humps, speed cushions leave gaps that may allow larger emergency vehicles to pass with less disruption while still encouraging regular vehicles to slow down.
Clarington says additional traffic studies will continue in the area through the remainder of the summer.
Municipality testing different approaches
The Clarington Traffic Calming program shows the municipality is using both traditional and experimental methods to improve road safety.
Some measures, such as permanent speed humps and raised crossings, physically slow vehicles.
Others, such as chicanes and apple-bin planters, change the visual appearance of the road to encourage drivers to reduce speed.
Municipal staff are expected to continue monitoring the projects to determine which approaches are most effective and where future traffic-calming measures may be needed.
