The Kenilworth Public School was packed on March 23 for a presentation of the proposed roundabout in Arthur to Wellington North council.
The format of the public presentation did not allow for questions from the public which increased the frustration level for some residents.
Speaking to the capacity crowd gathered in the gymnasium, Wellington North Mayor Andy Lennox explained the meeting was a presentation by Wellington County staff.
The intent was for staff to provide information and answer questions from councillors.
He said in March 2014, Wellington North council passed a resolution opposing construction of a roundabout on Wellington County Road 16 at the intersection of Eliza, Frederick and Domville Streets.
“In that resolution, Wellington North council expressed concerns, particularly about pedestrian safety. Since that time no information has come to council on how those concerns would be accommodated,” Lennox said.
In January, Wellington County council voted to build the roundabout.
Lennox said he hoped the information provided at the public meeting would help council and residents better understand how they will be able to safely traverse the newly configured intersection.
He noted council moved its regular meeting to the larger venue of the school “in anticipation that there might be a significant number of concerned residents.”
Lennox stressed the night’s meeting was for the presentation of information.
The mayor added, the meeting’s purpose was not to debate the merit of the decision to proceed with the roundabout, or issues related to that decision.
Numerous county staff members and council members were also in attendance, including Warden George Bridge.
Bridge noted a delegation of Arthur residents has already addressed county council on the issue.
“We had already worked out a plan to come up here to follow up on concerns the local council had regarding safety issues.”
Bridge was pleased to see the large turnout in order to relay information to the public.
A number of submitted written questions were dealt with at the meeting.
Wellington County engineer Gord Ough’s presentation responded to those questions in an effort to provide a better understanding of why the roundabout was chosen and the merits of a roundabout for that location.
On questions as to how visually-impaired residents would be accommodated Ough explained the issue is the subject of several studies.
He said the issues are similar to visually-impaired people crossing any street.
He suggested a roundabout would be safer than the current intersection because a two-stage crossing allows pedestrians to worry only about traffic coming from one direction and requiring them to traverse only half the street.
Ough said special plates will be installed at the pedestrian crossings to clearly identify the crossing area. Those plates have bumps to provide identification.
When asked about the potential of pedestrian-activated signals, Ough said the ductwork is being installed in case those signals are required in the future.
Pedestrian signals would let drivers know a pedestrian needed to cross.
Those pedestrians would still need to point in the direction when they intended to start crossing.
A pedestrian is supposed to wait until oncoming traffic is slowing down or stopped to allow a walker to pass.
Ough said the county did not rely on historical accident information as the basis for the change.
“The timing is partly based on the township’s need to replace most of the municipal services under Frederick Street, and concerns expressed by nearby residents and former councillors.”
Ough added the idea was “not to wait until there were fatalities to inspire us to act.”
He said part of the issue includes the odd angle in which the streets meet.
Ough added that part of the safety aspect of a roundabout is not keeping traffic moving, but having traffic slow down by necessity, and a reduced number of potential conflicts with other vehicles.
He said that roundabouts are increasing in popularity, with more being built.
“It’s something you’ll see more and more of, and having one in your own backyard to get used to is not a downside.”
Ough said there will be public education efforts to explain how the roundabout works, along with driver and pedestrian expectations.
Councillor Steve McCabe asked why the county was moving ahead with the plan when residents and township council object to it.
“Is there any input people can have that will have an impact? How do we have a say with what county council does with our money?”
Bridge said Wellington North has three representatives who can speak for residents and council – the mayor and two area councillors (one of which is shared with Centre Wellington).
Bridge said it is not like the county wants to override local concerns.
However, he said the project has been on the county’s books for quite a few years.
As a result of current infrastructure funding, there are tight deadlines to meet now.
There is very little time between approval and getting work done.
In this case, the current deadline is April to get the project to tender.
“At the end of the day the county engineers and the county, through the roads committee, felt this was the safest option.”
He indicated he understood concerns raised about the proposal.
“But I think we have to rely on the expertise of our staff. I stand behind county council’s decision at this point,” said Bridge.
