Ament/ Herrgott intersection to become a roundabout
CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW roundabout at a St. Clements intersection deemed dangerous by residents should get underway next week.
A decision last week by regional council to award the work to E&E Seegmiller Ltd. – a contract worth $1.7 million – cleared the final hurdle to upgrading the intersection of Ament Line and Herrgott Road.
A longstanding concern for residents of Wellesley Township since a fatal collision that claimed the life of five-year-old Emma Ringrose in 2005, the intersection was approved for a roundabout in late 2016
According to regional police records, between 2011 and 2016, there were on average 2.7 collisions at the intersection a year, reaching a maximum of five collisions in 2014. There was exactly one collision recorded each year in that time period that resulted in personal injuries, while a fatality occurred in 2015. According to the region’s director of design and construction, Phil Bauer, there have been two fatal collisions at that intersection since 2005.
The cost of roundabout is estimated at just over $2 million, a significantly higher amount than the four-way stop sign the region had initially suggested installing instead. Residents rejected the recommendation as a Band-Aid solution.
Addressing regional staff and township councillors at a Wellesley council meeting on Nov. 15, 2016, Pam Ringrose, Emma’s IT’S NOT CANADA’S 150TH, but the start of summer is a pretty good reason for a barbecue. Wellesley Township is doing just that next week, hosting its second annual Backyard BBQ community event.
While last year the event was organized on Canada Day, this year the date is set for June 22. It will feature fireworks, food, fun, and more. It will also feature live music from the classic rock band Crackerjack Palace, who played at the event last year.
“Yeah, we’re definitely looking forward to playing at the barbecue,” said Grand Heywood, who plays drums and lead vocals in the band. “Obviously being I’m from Wellesley Township, there will be a lot of people there that we know. I know Joe Nowak, the mayor. And let’s face it; it’s a small town, so you get to know a lot of people. It’ll be a great event.”
“It was done for the first time last year as a Canada 150 celebration and a community gathering,” added Darryl Denny, the township’s chief build- ing official. “There is no admission price. Food and beverages are paid for this year.”
Organizers expect the turnout to be similar to last year, when an estimated 1,200 people attended.
“Weather pending, we’ll see something similar, maybe a bit less than that,” said Denny. “The more, the merrier, really.”
“We really hope the turnout will be the same,” said Amy Harron, administrative assistant at the Township of Wellesley. “We will have hamburgers, hot dogs and sausage for sale, as well as a community information forum. All departments will be represented at the community forum along with community organizations.”
There are plenty of other features at the event, such as a touch truck.
“That’s something for the kids where they can crawl in and out of the vehicles including a police cruiser, dump trucks, and fire trucks as well,” said Denny.
Members of the band are primarily local. They play a variety of music, including covers of The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Steely Dan and the Eagles. According to Heywood, they prefer to do these types of events.
“We do a lot of fundraiser stuff,” said Heywood. “We’re doing one for Stratford in November for a hospice. I think this is our sixth or seventh year in Bancroft, Ontario where we raise money for a local hospice there. The reason why it’s Bancroft is that Danny, our bass player, is from there. We don’t play hotels at all – we’re not a band to go out and play bars or that sort of thing, we do fundraising type of events. “
While admission is free for the Backyard BBQ, organizers would appreciate a donation to the food bank. There are also several paid events, including the barbecue from 5 to 8 p.m. and a cash bar.
“Essentially, all are welcome,” said Denny. “It’s an excellent family-oriented event with a lot of the community coming together in one place hosted by the municipality. We hope to see lots of people out.”
The Backyard BBQ is set for June 22, running from 5 to 11 p.m. at the township administrative building, 4639 Lobsinger Line in Crosshill. Anyone interested in learning more can visit www.wellesley.ca.
mother, stressed the necessity of a roundabout for the intersection.
“Obviously, the rumble strips and the signs aren’t enough. The all-way stop isn’t going to help either,” she said.
“It sickens me to know our efforts have been in vain. Collisions continue to occur and another life has been lost. I don’t want to see any more of our money wasted on Band-Aid solutions. A roundabout is what is needed to save lives. The research has been done. To ignore that fact is putting people’s lives at risk.”
The project will require hydro and gas utilities to be relocated, storm sewer system construction and new paving.
“On the outside of the curb lines we are constructing a wide paved shoulder that will act as a multi-use trail for pedestrians or cyclists,” noted Bauer.
“It is also anticipated that some buggy users will feel more comfortable straddling the paved shoulder or driving on it entirely until they get to the roundabout. The curb and gutter at this location will be semi-mountable with an exposed aggregate finish (easier for horses to cross without slipping).
“On the south leg of Herrgott Road there is a vertical curve that has substandard sightlines for implementation of a roundabout. We are ‘shaving’ down the crest of this hill to meet the design criteria,” he added.
Work is scheduled to begin this coming Monday, and be substantially complete by August 31.