Staff pitch $5.3-million roundabout
Project aims to ease traffic congestion along busy Wentworth Road, Payzant Drive intersection
Some West Hants councillors are questioning when they approved a roundabout as the definitive solution to a troublesome intersection in Windsor.
But it’s not a done deal yet.
municipality In March, the issued a tender for the construction of a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Payzant Drive and Wentworth Road, with the closing date of April 4. A report, which was slated to come before West Hants’ committee of the whole meeting April 9, recommends a $5.3-million roundabout. Due to a technical issue impacting the municipality’s ability to broadcast the meeting live, followed by a delay in posting video of the meeting online, the outcome of the discussion was unavailable as of press time.
QUESTIONS
In March, Coun. Ed Sherman asked about the tender, noting he didn’t recall approving a roundabout over traffic lights to deal with the area that is challenging to traverse during peak times, particularly when school starts and ends.
Payzant Drive, which currently is a one-way-in, one-way-out road, is the only way to get to the Hants Community Hospital, Avon View High School, Victory Credit Union and number of residential homes and apartments. It’s not uncommon to see a line of vehicles waiting to turn onto Wentworth Road, particularly when school lets out.
Coun. Jim Ivey shared a similar sentiment.
“I don’t recall us getting an update on this initiative since January 2023,” said Ivey.
Todd Richard, the director of public works, reminded council that during budget deliberations last spring, council approved $3 million in the capital budget for a roundabout.
“So that’s essentially direction to proceed, and we had direction to proceed with a detailed design for a roundabout,” Richard told council on March 12. “So we’re into a fairly substantial amount of money to this point, a fair amount of staff time, direction.”
That said, Richard noted nothing has technically been approved yet.
“When the report comes, council still has the ultimate decision of saying ‘no’ and ‘stop, we do not want a roundabout.’ We can pivot,” Richard said.
Mark Phillips, the municipality’s chief administrative officer, said that while the decision hasn’t been finalized something must be done to rectify the traffic issues in the community.
“I think what we want to be strong and adamant about is the need for traffic improvement at Payzant and Wentworth,” said Phillips. “And that all indicators to date by our own hired consultants and developers is that a roundabout, for different reasons, is the preferred option.”
ISSUES
The intersection of Payzant Drive and Wentworth Road has been in the spotlight for a number of years.
In 2013, the Garlands Crossing, Windsor Border Area Study focused on providing a long-term transportation strategy while considering future growth. A set of lights or a roundabout for Payzant Drive was recommended. Then in 2021, a Windsor Intersection Infrastructure Needs Assessment was conducted, which confirmed intersection upgrades were required and suggested a two-lane roundabout. That same year, a Hants County Exhibition Expansion Traffic Impact Study was conducted, which also recommended a roundabout.
In October 2021, Design Point Engineering Limited was hired to be the municipality’s engineering consultants to support the project from design to construction.
In January 2023, Design Point recommended a singlelane roundabout. Initial estimates had a roundabout costing about $1.8 million, which didn’t include taxes or the costs associated with property acquisition or easements.
A construction tender was issued on March 8, 2024.
Given the proposed housing developments in the region, Richard said staff believe a roundabout is necessary.
“But with all the investments, the 101 (highway), and the developments in our area, certainly as staff, we don’t look for the easy route, we don’t look for the cheap route. We look out for all interests of our residents and businesses and this is the best long-term solution,” he said March 12.
“It’s not just staff. It’s many different traffic engineers that are saying this. And we have a whole list of pros for a roundabout.”
While some councillors questioned the cost, asking if traffic lights would be more affordable, staff said roundabouts are more expensive to construct but they have greater longevity and will improve safety.
“With this design, we have flashing signals at all of our pedestrian crossings so it’s much safer for pedestrians,” Richard said.
“Roundabouts are proven to move 50 per cent more traffic flow. It’s proven.”
He highlighted Carmel, Indiana, in the United States, noting the city has more than 130 roundabouts. That city has a population of more than 101,000 people, while West Hants has about 19,500.
Richard said roundabouts result in less serious accidents, are more efficient and continue to work even during power outages.
IN FAVOUR
Coun. Laurie Murley said given the amount of development on the horizon, with hundreds of new housing units in the works for West Hants, a roundabout makes sense.
“I’ve definitely been thinking about this a lot recently. Everybody knows I’m a fan of roundabouts for various reasons,” said Murley.
She said she thought the decision had already been made and has been basing her support of development agreements on the fact that a roundabout was going in.
“Of course, the decision will still come to council when that tender comes through but I have to say that a lot of the decisions I’ve made have been based on believing that that was going to happen,” said Murley.
On March 12, Mayor Abraham Zebian and Coun. Debbie Francis both declared a conflict of interest before discussion occurred on the proposed roundabout and left the room. The council members own developable property on Payzant Drive that could benefit from a roundabout going in.
A development agreement to construct apartments on that property is currently working its way through the municipal process. It’s anticipated a public hearing will come to council later this month.
MEETING
Richard’s written report recommends the low compliant bidder, Dexter Construction, be awarded the Wentworth Road/Payzant Drive roundabout project for $4,274,980 plus applicable taxes. The report also recommends council approve a construction contingency of 15 per cent ($641,247) and the “cost for overhead utility relocation, for a total construction estimated cost of $5,116,227 plus applicable taxes.”
The report states the total cost is projected to be $5,335,713.14.
Richard said if approved, construction of the roundabout could start later this year and be finished in the fall of 2025.
In the April 9 recommendation report, Phillips noted it was “unfortunate to have one bidder on the project despite the tender being in the public forum.”
Since council has not set its 2024/25 capital budget yet, and the municipality doesn’t have debt to service ratio impacts for the same timeframe, Phillips advised that consideration of the project be moved forward to budget deliberations “for a more thorough review by council.”
Phillips said the tendered price will remain active until June 3.
See next week’s edition for more details.