City police were out in full force Monday on Whitemud Drive, as part of their long-weekend enforcement blitz, catching lead-footed motorists who were probably wishing the speed limit was a bit higher.

But unfortunately for the speedsters, a new city report recommends the speed limit along the roadway stay at 80 km/h, despite calls to raise it.

Former Mayor Stephen Mandel has argued for years that the Whitemud can support faster speeds and he says Edmontonians -- himself included -- exceed the limit on it every day.

He said last August that he’d like to see the limit be raised to 90 to 100 km/h.

But the report, set to be presented to City Council’s Transportation Committee Wednesday, says the road has too many constraints to allow for a faster traffic flow.

Sharp curves, close passing between exits, and limited sight distances at underpasses would be aggravated by higher speeds, the report notes, adding that the road already has a significantly higher collision rate as it stands.

“Based on the collision data, speed data, and noise consideration, an increase in the posted speed limit is not recommended,” the report read.

The report also shoots down the notion that a higher speed would greatly reduce congestion and drive time, noting that it would actually “require more frequent entering, exiting, and interweaving of traffic which will increase traffic congestion and reduce traffic safety.”

But it does say that should council consider increasing the posted limit, it should do so along specific segments, like eastbound from 75th to 17th Streets and 159 Street to Guardian Road. It does not recommend a change to the posted limit throughout.

allison.salz@sunmedia.ca

@SUNAllisonSalz