Unique interchange proposed for York, QEW
Diamond intersection pitched; new roundabout planned at Glendale Avenue
Motorists could be travelling on what seems like the wrong side of the road as they cross the QEW overpass on Glendale Avenue in a few years, if a Ministry of Transportation plan for the interchange is approved.
And about 500 metres down the road, a roundabout could be added by Niagara Region to replace the intersection of Glendale and York Road.
Public works committee members will have their first look at the proposed interchange design Tuesday, during a presentation on the MTO’s preferred option for improving the busy intersection.
The design — called a diverging diamond interchange — shifts vehicles to the left side of the road as they cross the highway, improving the flow of traffic and enhancing safety because vehicles would no longer need to cross oncoming lanes of traffic to access the highway.
The interchange design also includes traffic lights to control the flow of vehicles as they cross to the opposite side of the road, as well as right turn lanes located before those traffic signals which would also allow access the highway without having to cross lanes of oncoming vehicles to get there.
Niagara-on-the-Lake Coun. Gary Burroughs said plans for the intersection have been in development for years, but the diverging diamond interchange is a new addition to the discussion.
He said he’d feel more comfortable about the design if it wasn’t so new.
“I like being down the road just bit to see that they’re all working as they were intended,” he said.
There are now only two diverging diamond interchanges in Canada.
The first was completed in Calgary last August, and the second opened near Regina less than a month ago.
As the primary entrance to NOTL, Burroughs said the interchange is “critically important” to the town.
Meanwhile, Burroughs said, nearby shopping centres such as Outlet Collection at Niagara, the Niagara College campus and new residential developments have added significantly to the traffic in the area.
“It’s huge, there’s no question,” Burroughs said. “It’s critical that we get it right, but I think we’re going to have to move on it.”
In addition to the MTO’s overpass, the Region is considering adding a roundabout at the intersection of Glendale Avenue and York Road.
Burroughs said roundabouts are tried and true within the region — unlike diverging diamond interchanges.
“We have several roundabouts now, and they’re all working extremely well,” he said.
In addition to the regional committee discussion, the MTO is holding a public information centre on April 25 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 500 York Rd., from 4-8 p.m. More information is available online at qew-glendaleinterchange.ca. If approved, construction of the interchange could begin next year.