Instead of holding generic public meetings before starting the construction of six roundabouts on Franklin Boulevard, the Region of Waterloo decided to meet with affected businesses individually.
Presentations were offered to about 150 businesses, regional officials say, with four accepting.
“Perhaps there’s enough education out there already,” says Bob Henderson, the region’s manager of transportation engineering.
The roundabouts will span almost the entire length of Franklin.
Six will be built this year, with anywhere from three to five – political decisions will be made on whether to include the intersections at Saginaw and/or Can-Amera parkways – constructed in 2016.
People who work on Franklin have mixed feelings about the roundabouts’ impending arrival.
Wayne Richardson works at an auto shop at Franklin and Pinebush Road.
Making left turns out of the business will be impossible under the new configuration. Instead, drivers will have to turn right and then turn 360 degrees at a roundabout.
“People, in general, don’t like change,” Richardson says.
“Now that they’re going to have to go out of their way a little bit, I think it’s going to hinder (business).”
Maggie Clemens works at a retirement home – one of the four businesses that took the region up on its offer of a presentation.
“With our seniors so close by … we need to be cautious, because they do a lot of walking,” she says.
Clemens says she’s seen some of her home’s residents hit by vehicles while walking and scootering around Cambridge, and worries that a roundabout could increase the number of collisions.
“It’s just happening on a regular, safe street – not a roundabout, which (many people) don’t know how to use,” she says.
Regional transportation officials say roundabouts have proven to move traffic better, and reduce the risk of injuries at intersections.
“There are still some challenges – people picking their appropriate lane or figuring out when to yield on entry … but it’s getting better every day,” Henderson says.
