Traffic circle planned for St. Joseph

The proposal is part of the larger streetscaping initiative intended to revitalize the area.

In 2008 the BIA commissioned a strategic plan for streetscaping to set priorities and suggest ways to implement them. Since the organization covers a long stretch of street – from Prestone Drive to Youville Drive – planners indicated few people would notice a difference if a bit of money was used to make improvements along the entire length, explained BIA executive director Peter Stewart. Instead, planners proposed a multi-phase approach to revitalizing the street.

The first step, Stewart continued, was to animate the area with events like Oktoberfest and the Parade of Lights.

The second step is to improve the areas around the church, creek and Shenkman Arts Centre; however, those areas are privately owned. Stewart indicated working with private landowners is a longer term project.

The third component is to create gateways into the area, and the last step would be to fill in between those gateways.

The idea is to create precincts, divided by the gateways, instead of treating the boulevard as a uniform corridor. The arts precinct, for example, would be at the eastern end where the Shenkman Arts Centre now rests.

With $2.5 million in federal infrastructure money earmarked for streetscaping in Orléans, Stewart indicated the BIA suddenly had an opportunity to follow the plan and do something big.

The cost of the traffic circle is estimated at $1.5 million to $1.8 million, Stewart said, noting there’s no need to buy land to build the roundabout at the intersection. The project will be completely funded by the city, which is administering the federal dollars. Stewart added any remaining funds will be used for cosmetic purposes, like landscaping, along the street.

The proposed traffic circle could act as a gateway to the heart of the community, Stewart continued. It could be a distinctive element to create interest and add character to an otherwise standard commercial artery. The first in a series of gateways to be built on the boulevard, the traffic circle would be a noticeable marker at the western boundary of the roadway.

The gateway isn’t just about changing the traffic flow, however. Public art and landscaping will be used to complete the roundabout, according to a memo sent to BIA members this week.

Stewart said the city is aware of the initiative and the traffic department says the idea will work. The next step, now, is to get the word out. A public information session is scheduled for Jan. 14. The plan is to start construction next year, Stewart indicated. “It’s exciting to be able to do something,” he added. “People want to see some action.”