The City of Courtenay has finished rolling out reduced speed limits on residential streets - two years ahead of schedule.

The project, launched in 2023, was originally planned as a five-year transition to 40-kilometre-per-hour limits on neighbourhood roads.

City crews were able to accelerate the work by incorporating sign changes into routine maintenance and using improved sign-printing technology to repurpose existing signs.

Acting Mayor Wendy Morin says completing the project early is a major step toward safer, more welcoming streets, noting that slower speeds save lives and improve livability for families, pedestrians, and cyclists.

Drivers are being reminded to watch for the new signs and adjust accordingly. The 40-kilometre-per-hour limit applies around the clock.

Lower posted speeds - such as 30-kilometre-per-hour school and playground zones - will continue to take priority during their normal hours.

City officials say reduced speeds can lead to fewer and less severe collisions and create more comfortable neighbourhoods for people walking, cycling, or using mobility aids.

To view an interactive map of speed limit reductions, visit City of Courtenay.