Roundabout traffic questions

The Heart of Orléans Business Improvement Area (BIA) is spearheading – in concert with the city and courtesy of federal and provincial funding – a $2.5 million initiative to install a roundabout at this always busy intersection and make other infrastructure improvements at Orléans Boulevard and the intersection at Duford.

While I’m not totally sold on this idea (yet), I agree with the BIA and city’s approach to go for the gusto and make game-changing-streetscaping-wow-type improvements as opposed to squandering this money on some street furniture, line markers and lamp post improvements. Too bad we couldn’t bury the overhead wires along St. Joseph, which would be the best idea if the BIA and city had an extra $20 million or so to spend, but I digress.

If you’ve travelled the city over the past few years you will know roundabouts are slowly replacing troublesome intersections or become the norm at key junction points in new communities.

The question is whether the four- to six-month (maybe more knowing how road projects seem to lag on in our city) disruption to the busiest intersection in our community will be worth it in the end? Will traffic accidents go down? Will pedestrians find it easier and safe to cross? Will businesses along St. Joseph benefit from improved traffic flow? Will drivers adapt quickly and shave time off of their daily commutes? Are there accessibility issues for those with physical disabilities or visual impairments that need to be considered? What about cyclists, what are their issues?

A public meeting will be held on Jan. 14 at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Centre where officials from the BIA will present their idea. City officials – elected and staff – should be on hand to answer the aforementioned questions and others that you may have. I for one plan to attend as this would represent a seismic shift for me and the tens of thousands of drivers who pass through this intersection two, four or more times a day.

If justifiable concerns can be answered and addressed, then my money (since it is our money that will pay for the changes) is on changing the streetscape and intersection. This could be the kick start project which stimulates an unstoppable momentum to beautify our main community and retail strip. And as I’ve written before, it would be great to transform St. Joseph Boulevard from eyesore to eye-popping.

Now if only we could stop Innes Road from turning into another Merivale Road morass ... but alas, let’s fix one urban blight at a time. Comments can be sent to Walter at orleansouttakes@transcontinental.ca