In spite of lingering questions and concerns, the Kains Street Construction project will proceed as outlined, complete with a roundabout at Kains and St. Catharine streets.
City council Monday evening voted unanimously to accept a report from Daniel Koppert, manager of capital works, to begin the tendering process.
The reconstruction project will include bike lanes and active transportation, protected pedestrian crossings, along with improvements to the watermain, storm drainage, and sanitary sewers.
According to the report, Kains Street experiences an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) volume of approximately 8,000 vehicles. St. Catharine Street experiences an AADT volume of 4,200 vehicles.
There have been two collisions at this intersection over the past five years, both due to vehicles failing to stop at the existing stop sign on St. Catharine Street.
Issues identified from previous reports and studies dealing with this intersection include speed, traffic control warrants, parking and pedestrian safety at the courtesy crossing.
The Transportation Master Plan (2021) included recommendations for a roundabout at this location along with active transportation improvements and the conversion of Scott and Curtis streets from one-way to two-way traffic.
Koppert’s report continues, “The previous council reports regarding this intersection have all identified that an all-way stop is not warranted at this location, that local residents have expressed concerns of traffic noise and vehicle emissions associated with an all-way stop at this location, and that a roundabout at this location offers the best solution for pedestrian safety and traffic calming.”
The cost of the entire project is $5.7 million with the roundabout coming in at $630,000. This includes $50,000 for an art installation.
This compares to $770,000 for traffic signals and $360,000 for a four-way stop.
