A group of residents here wants to resurrect debate about re-opening Wells Street, at the north end of the village, to through traffic.
The group, headed by Wellington North councillor Andy Lennox, is expected to meet with council on April 28 to discuss the issue of opening up the street for about 1.6 kilometres to connect it to Wellington Road 14 and provide a traffic bypass.
The issue, says Lennox, was prompted by a Wellington County proposal to construct a roundabout as part of Frederick Street reconstruction to improve traffic flow through Arthur.
That project will see the county rebuild Frederick Street, with the township replacing sewer and water services. The county, along with its engineering company, Triton, is proposing the roundabout at the intersection of Frederick, Eliza, Domville and Wellington Road 14.
The roundabout, according to county officials, would make the intersection safer and slow traffic on Frederick Street, which is heavily travelled and used by many motorists as an access to Highway 6.
“We’re hoping to get a commitment from (Wellington North) council to investigate Wells Street,” Lennox told the Advertiser.
Lennox said the Wells Street plan would see the street as a bypass connecting the county road and Highway 6 at the north end of the village and potentially cutting down on traffic using Frederick Street.
Lennox said the township currently owns the Wells Street road allowance. He suggested if a plan to rebuild the street happens, it could include “flopping” ownership, with the county taking over Wells Street in exchange for the township taking over ownership of Frederick Street, which is considered a county road.
Lennox said talk of making Wells Street a bypass has been discussed in the past, but the plan to build the roundabout has renewed interest in it.
The proposed roundabout also drew criticism from Arthur residents when plans for the Frederick Street reconstruction were unveiled at a public meeting in March.
The county received 76 written responses from people attending the public meeting, with about 69 respondents opposed to the roundabout. The roundabout was also rejected by Wellington North council at its April 7 council meeting. The roundabout has also been discussed at the county roads committee, with no decision reached on whether it will remain part of the Frederick Street reconstruction plan. “No additional direction has been provided to staff at this time,” county engineer Gord Ough said in an email to the Advertiser.
Lennox said the Wells Street plan will be considered by Wellington North council on Monday evening.
