Chatham-Kent Council has given the green light for a $6.6 million tender to construct a roundabout at the intersection of Queens Line and Merlin Road.
The decision was made during a council meeting on Tuesday, with all members in attendance voting in favor of the project.
The roundabout is expected to improve traffic flow and safety at the busy intersection, which has seen an increase in traffic due to recent developments in the area.
According to Mayor Darrin Canniff, the roundabout will not only benefit drivers, but also pedestrians and cyclists.
“This is a much-needed improvement for our community,” Canniff said. “The roundabout will not only reduce congestion and wait times for drivers, but also provide a safer and more accessible route for pedestrians and cyclists.”
The $6.6 million tender was awarded to Coco Paving Inc., the lowest bidder for the project. The cost will be covered by the municipality’s capital budget, with no impact on property taxes.
Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2021 and is estimated to take approximately six months to complete.
In addition to the roundabout, the project will also include the installation of new streetlights, sidewalks, and bike lanes.
Councilor Karen Kirkwood-Whyte, who represents the ward where the intersection is located, expressed her support for the project.
“I am pleased to see this much-needed improvement finally coming to fruition,” Kirkwood-Whyte said. “The roundabout will not only improve traffic flow, but also enhance the safety of our community.”
The decision to approve the tender for the roundabout comes after extensive consultation with the public and traffic experts. The majority of feedback received was in favor of the project.
The roundabout at Queens Line and Merlin Road is just one of several infrastructure projects currently underway in Chatham-Kent, as the municipality continues to invest in improving its roads and transportation systems.
With the approval of the $6.6 million tender, the construction of the roundabout is one step closer to becoming a reality, bringing much-needed improvements to the intersection and the community as a whole.
