THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay is on track to get its first roundabout on a city street, at the intersection of Edward Street and Redwood Avenue.
City council approved the partial two-lane roundabout for inclusion in the proposed 2021 capital budget on Monday night, after safety and financial benefits touted by city administration won over most – but not all – councillors.
Roundabouts reduce the number of collisions causing injury by approximately 75 per cent compared to traffic lights, according to a report from the city’s engineering department. The severity of collisions is also decreased, thanks to lower travel speeds and the decreased likelihood of head-on and right-angle collisions.
Some councillors weren’t convinced by the recommendation, raising concerns primarily over pedestrian safety.
Those came despite the report’s reassurance that “roundabouts are generally safer for all road users than any other type of intersection control” and plans for pedestrian crossovers as part of the roundabout design.
Coun. Rebecca Johnson said the city’s accessibility committee opposed the location of a roundabout in a commercial area, with the intersection near the Redwood Plaza and other nearby businesses.
“I have no issues with a roundabout in a semi-rural [area],” she said, “but I’m very concerned about a roundabout in a commercial area.”
Johnson worried the new system could confuse pedestrians, particularly those with accessibility needs, envisioning people having a hard time crossing from planned islands in the middle of Edward’s four lanes.
“In the middle of the winter, I’m going to stand in that middle place waiting for cars not to come and hit me?” she asked.
Project engineer Matthew Miedema answered that roundabouts were appropriate traffic management options outside of heavy pedestrian areas such as the downtown cores, and would include enhanced pedestrian safety features.
The city also plans extensive public education, should the roundabout go forward.
Coun. Shelby Ch’ng, whose Northwood ward contains the intersection, questioned the grounding for a negative assessment by the accessibility committee, which had not issued any official recommendation on the issue.
Coun. Bentz echoed some of Johnson’s concerns, saying the city should consider extending pedestrian crossovers to protect crossings across the entire street.
“It’s very clear that roundabouts are safer for vehicular traffic,” he said. “I think what I’m hearing from the community is pedestrian safety. I think it’s normal for the community to be nervous about a new piece of roadway like this.”
Councillors also questioned the reported financial benefits of roundabouts, pointing out that projected savings wouldn’t be realized for more than 20 years.
A roundabout would initially be a more expensive option, costing an estimated $1,000,000 to build, compared to $850,000 for a traffic light (the estimates include replacing the road base, resurfacing, extending the sidewalk, and street lighting upgrades).
However, the roundabout would cost slightly less to maintain - $150,000 over 20 years, compared to $275,000 for traffic lights.
Coun. Albert Aiello pointed out that actually made the roundabout a more expensive option – if only by $25,000 – even after 20 years.
Savings would come after that period, however, city administration said.
Coun. Andrew Foulds argued councillors should be more focused on the safety benefits than potential savings. He gave the roundabout his full throated endorsement, pointing to the estimate of a three-quarters reduction in injury collisions.
“That’s a reason why we should do this – saving people from injury, saving people’s lives,” he said.
He also pointed to savings for individuals from fewer collisions, and reduced carbon emissions resulting from less idling of vehicles.
A motion from Coun. Ch’ng to include the roundabout in the city’s proposed 2021 capital budget passed with more than two-thirds support. Councillors Aiello, Johnson, and Oliver voted against.
That proposed budget will still require the approval of council early in the new year.
The city has one existing roundabout inside Marina Park, near the south entrance.
