A plan to rebuild Frederick Street in Arthur could include the construction of the first roundabout in northern Wellington County.
The county project would also see the township upgrade water and sewer and replace sidewalks under its jurisdiction.
But it was a proposal about the construction of a roundabout to improve traffic flow at the intersection of Wellington Road 14 and Frederick, Domville and Eliza streets that captured the interest of township councillors.
The presentation, made by county engineers and officials with Triton Engineering at council’s Feb. 10 meeting, was meant only as an opportunity to explore options for the reconstruction of Frederick Street.
Option one would include rebuilding of the intersection adjacent to the community’s arena and swimming pool with possible pedestrian crossing lights.
Triton engineer Dennis Hollands said the work would include upgrades and replacement of storm and sanitary sewers and water mains. Some of the replacement work would be done to merge upgrades done at earlier stages of work in the village.
Hollands said Union Gas is also planning to put in a new gas main near Tucker Street and would like to get the work done before the county work begins.
Commenting on the planned roundabout at the intersection, Hollands said, “It may surprise you, but it fits.”
Frederick Street is heavily used by transport trucks and large farm vehicles wanting to gain access to Highway 6 downtown or from downtown to the northeast side of the community.
“We wouldn’t recommend the lights right now,” Hollands said of option one.
He explained the roundabout would be designed to handle large tractor trailers and could handle agricultural machinery, a concern raised by councillor Andy Lennox.
“I have concerns about farm equipment at this location,” Lennox said. “I can see long trains of equipment, and we have them routinely, we would have a problem here. If we make it impossible for them to move equipment through they’re going to be forced down Tucker Street.”
Hollands said to improve space at the roundabout, vehicles would be able to mount the roundabout, giving them a great turning radius. The plan would also call for taking up some of the property at the county shed on the south side of the intersection for the roundabout.
County engineer Mark Eby said concerns raised by council about agricultural machinery at the roundabout will be discussed with farmers. He also indicated that once a final plan is reached, a public meeting will be held.
Mayor Ray Tout said it was essential to inform residents.
In an email to the Advertiser, county engineer Gord Ough said, “If the intersection is reconstructed similar to the way it is today, it is proposed that a pedestrian crossing signal be installed at the intersection along with flashing warning signals up Eliza to alert traffic coming into town that the pedestrian crossing lights are going to be operating by the time they get to the intersection, so they should slow town.
“If the intersection is reconstructed as a roundabout, it is proposed that any duct work under the road that would be needed to install pedestrian crossing signals at the intersection and warning signals up Eliza would be installed during this construction project and the actual poles and signals would be installed sometime later if deemed necessary after observing the operation of the intersection.
“Because the roundabout design inherently makes the intersection safer than the other option, the pedestrian signals may not be necessary.
“The roundabout option is more expense, however, it is felt that the roundabout option, with or without a pedestrian crossing signal, addresses the safety aspects of the intersection better. That is why the roundabout is the county’s preferred option.”
“The intersection is not a safe intersection [now],” Hollands told council.
“It is a bit of a blind intersection that slows traffic down.”
The cost of the work is estimated at about $2.6 million with the county portion at about $1 million, Ough said. The township cost would be about $1.6 million with Union Gas paying for its own upgrades.
The project will also include asphalt resurfacing of the portion of Charles Street.
The work, Ough added, could get underway this summer pending final approvals.
