This project involves the installation for 18 speed limit signs and 5 STOP signs in Dual Lekwungen/English language on Lekwungen Lane, Ned Williams Rd (playground), and Stil Quee Mat Court on Songhees Nation land. This is part of a long-term unified plan and we have divided the Songhees Nation residential roads into four distinct areas which can be tackled through four separate projects.

Key goals:

• To reduce accident and injury for all road users
• To calm traffic
• To make narrow unsafe roadways more safe
• To reduce speed to a consistent 20 km/h throughout Songhees Nation
• To monitor and inform drivers, Songhees, and police of current driving habits
• To make all stop and speed signs highly visible, uniform, and well-located
• To stop Trespassing in key locations
• To promote language/culture through road signs
• To increase personal awareness
• To instill pride by raising standards

A dense residential population, narrow roads, no posted speeds, excess speed, hard-to-read sign faces, damaged and faded signage, a mix of community and indigenous use, and pedestrians and vehicles sharing the same roadways, are making unsafe conditions for all users on reserve land. This current four-grant application project is a first step to slow the speed limit, provide feedback on driving habits, calm traffic, and keep people safe and injury free. A short drive through Songhees Nation land easily provides evidence of the road safety needs addressed. We have ten complete trailer parks testifying to residential density. Long-term we will widen roads and bring them up to a higher construction standard, lay down safe and wider sidewalks, and provide more walking and biking pathways.

The desired impact of the project will bring down speeds on all roadways to 20 km/hr, making the roads safer for all road users, particularly in playground and dense residential areas, increasing safety and preventing serious injuries.

This project seeks to install 18 speed signs at 20 km/hr, and 5 stop signs on Lekungen Lane, Ned Williams Rd which has a playground and leads to a cemetery, and on Stil Quee Mat Court. The last two roadways are both dead ends, but otherwise are often straight and contain high speed traffic. Young families with children walk and play in and around the roads, or are on the roads.

Designing dual Lekwungen/English language STOP Signs work toward goals of cultural connection and indigenous identification and pride of heritage.

Photo source: Unsplash. Photo is shown for illustration purposes only and may not be an accurate representation of the project.