THUNDER BAY — Formal talk continues to add another roundabout in the city, with one being considered at the intersection of Cumberland and Water streets.
City project engineer Matthew Miedema confirmed with TBNewswatch that the city has awarded the contract to CIMA+ to do a preliminary study.
The company will be looking at how the current intersection is configured, as well as looking ahead at what the city's growth could be, and will factor that into the project.
Of the potential three new roundabouts for the city, this location is considered a priority as it is a major intersection. The other two locations up for future reflection are Porcupine Boulevard and Parkdale Avenue, as well as Algoma Street and Gibson Avenue.
Miedema said that as traffic volumes continue to grow by Arthur Street, that intersection will need higher traffic control. The Algoma and Gibson site would not only control traffic, but also beautify the entrance to Boulevard Lake park.
While Water Street North is coming due for water line replacements and resurfacing, Miedema said this is an opportune time for the study of the large intersection.
"This intersection is really going to be impacted for the next few years, so we really want to look at it and get the configuration right," he said in an interview on Tuesday.
The future of the roundabout is still subject to approval in next year's city budget.
