City approves final design phase for new roundabout

Project at Vogue Optical intersection likely to begin in 2014

Short- term pain for longterm gain is how Trevor MacLeod describes plans to proceed with a roundabout at the so- called Vogue Optical intersection in Charlottetown.

MacLeod, the director of real estate and development for The Gray Group ( which falls under the Vogue Optical umbrella), spent 15 years working at the intersection.

The city seems to be moving forward with constructing a roundabout. Council unanimously passed a resolution at its monthly public meeting Tuesday night to move into the final design phase for the project. Hatch Mott MacDonald will produce the design for $ 53,680.

“There will be shortterm pain with respect to that ( project) but it’s going to be a benefit to the area overall,’’ MacLeod said. “You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.’’

There will be short- term pain with respect to that ( project) but it’s

going to be a benefit to the area overall. You can’t make an omelet without breaking

a few eggs.

Trevor MacLeod

MacLeod refers to the fact that while he thinks a roundabout will improve traffic flow in the area, construction will cause plenty of congestion since it’s such a busy area.

Mike Ramsay, who makes deliveries in the immediate area, says changes are long overdue.

“This ( roundabout) project will be worth its

weight in gold when complete,’’ Ramsay told The Guardian via Twitter, “but during construction it’s going to be hell. Very busy area.’’

Construction isn’t likely to start anytime soon and probably not until 2014.

Count. Terry Bernard, chair of public works, says council has yet to approve the actual project.

“We did a preliminary design, we went to the landowners ( to tell them) how much land we needed to buy. We’ve got all our agreements in place with those landowners. Now, we’re going to final design, final drawings,’’ Bernard said Wednesday.

He said that design will detail exactly how the roundabout will be laid out. The consultant should have the blueprint ready for council by next spring.

“We’re going to be shovel ready so if funding comes down the pipe . . . we’re ready to go.’’

But Bernard isn’t optimistic federal money to help fund the project will flow in 2013. Assurances have been made it will be there in 2014.

“This is public works’ No. 1 priority,’’ he said, reiterating that council makes the final decision during the budget process.

MacLeod says the project makes sense.

“I think it can only be improved by a roundabout,’’ MacLeod said.

The city is also eyeing a round about at the Charlottetown Airport intersection. Engineers have already said a roundabout would work at the Brackley Point Road- Sherwood Road intersection. However, that project falls below the Vogue Optical project on the priority list.