Despite what Winkler City Council felt was a thorough and detailed presentation last week, MIT is insisting on investigating the traffic concerns on 15th St. for themselves.

The Province's Highway Traffic Board ultimately deferred a decision on Winkler's request to lower speeds on 15th from 70 km/h to 50 km/h.

"The outcome was very disappointing," Winkler Mayor Martin Harder says. "...they deferred the decision even though we had complete details including a site map indicating sports fields, skate park, crosswalks and future school. It was "red tape" to the limit."

The city had completed traffic studies last month which revealed over 5,000 vehicles travel down 15th St. each day. Yet, the board still insisted on their own investigation.

Harder says it's a perfect example of why the Highway Traffic Board has become redundant and "outlived its purpose."

The city hopes to lower the speed limit on 15th street which is flanked on either side by sports fields and walking paths

For months city council has faced roadblocks to lowering speeds on Winkler streets. Council has especially fought for 15th St. which is flanked by sports fields, a skate park and basketball court, outdoor gym, baseball diamonds and a heavily populated walking path.

"It's absurd," Harder says.

He notes Winkler is one among many municipalities that would like to see the Highway Traffic Board change from an oversight agency to a commentary board, allowing municipalities more control over the speed limits within their jurisdictions.

A motion to lobby the government to change the responsibilities of the traffic board passed unanimously at a recent central district AMM meeting.

In the Southgate and Stonegate developments, as well as Orion lane, the city feels the speed should be limited to 30 km/h due to their high density and number of young families.

In the Southgate and Stonegate development and Orion lane, the city feels the speed should be limited to 30 km/h

Instead, MIT says the area should remain 50 km/h, though the board suggested other measures, such as speed bumps, be installed.

However, Harder notes based on their research those streets should actually be classified as a "lane". In Manitoba, a lane's speed limit is uniformly 30 km/h.

"Another reason this group needs to be disbanded," Harder says. They don't even follow their own rules."