Roundabouts approved in principle for four HRM intersections
Posted May 12, 2010 05:39:33 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Roundabouts could soon be a fact of life for motorists in HRM.
City council has voted to support in principle replacing some intersections with the traffic circles, but it will be awhile before any work actually begins on any of the four intersections targeted by staff.
Council was briefed Tuesday on the benefits of roundabouts over intersections.
City traffic services supervisor Tanya Davis says there are four main reasons why council should adopt them.
“Roundabouts offer improved safety, reduced delay, reduced environmental impacts and improved aesthetics,” Davis said.
Davis says studies show there are fewer collisions and fatalities at roundabouts and reduced waiting times, citing one study that showed a 67 per cent reduction in collisions after an intersection was converted to a roundabout.
However, Coun. Jennifer Watts (Connaught-Quinpool), says she’s worried that a smoother traffic flow will result in even more cars on the road.
“What I’m concerned about is that if it becomes faster and more convenient because of the roundabouts for cars to move through the peninsula more people will continue to choose to use their car instead of perhaps, using public transit or alternative transportation,” she said.
For Coun. Gloria McCluskey (Dartmouth Centre), cost is a major concern.
“With this budget and next year, they say it’ll be worse, I’m fearful,” she said.
Staff will now begin a planning process, but it could be a year or even two before the first roundabout project comes to council for approval.
