Flow and safety improvements needed
Residents air concerns regarding the new roundabout on Trans-Canada Highway
Stratford residents had a chance to get up to speed last week on a proposed new roundabout for their community. About 70 people attended an open house to get the details and give input on the project involving the Mason Road and Georgetown Road access points on the Trans-Canada Highway
Stephen Yeo, P.E.I. Transportation Department’s chief engineer, said this has been in the works for more than 10 years, with different designs and options considered to improve the flow of traffic and safety in this area.
Stratford Mayor David Dunphy was one of the people who came to the Stratford Town Centre to hear the presentation on the technical aspects of the proposal.
He said this area of Stratford
has changed significantly over the past 15-20 years and feels that this proposal is a good solution for this area.
During the summer months, this portion of the Trans-Canada Highway sees between 13,000 and 15,000 vehicles per day.
“What we are trying to do is find a safer solution for traffic getting on and off the highway,” said Dunphy who said the rest of council supports the design. “Hopefully traffic will move more efficiently.”
Some issues were raised from business owners and residents, including examining the annual growth rate of Stratford for this project, extending sidewalks on the Mason Road, accessing the businesses on the left as people travel from the east and the noise pollution for nearby residents.
Business owner Tim Banks raised concerns regarding access to his business.
“You are showing other people their solutions, but you are not showing me a solution.”
Yeo said there are still some discussions with developers and landowners to be had regarding a possible connection from Dale Drive to the new Georgetown Road.
Janeen McGuigan, who lives on the Stratford Road, raised concerns regarding the increase of noise in the residential areas, especially when trucks go through and use their Jake brakes. However, her main concern is the development off the new road, as it will open the area up to development.
“It’s not my land, I understand that,” said McGuigan, “(However), as a resident I would like to have some input when I can have input into development in that area.”
Yeo said they conducted a traffic analysis to look at the possibility of at fourway intersections at the Mason Road and Dale Drive, but it wouldn’t solve the traffic flow.
“We could put in a four-way intersection, but it doesn’t slow all the traffic down,” explained Yeo.
“Some will stop at a right red, others will drive through high speeds at the yellow.”
Yeo said the roundabout was a better option, as it would slow all the traffic down. There are about 15 roundabouts spread across the Island with the first one built in 2006. “We don’t see any severe accidents with them,” said Yeo regarding .