Charlottetown votes for roundabout solution

Charlottetown should have its first traffic roundabout operating before the end of this year.

Council voted Monday night in favour of building a roundabout at the corner of Allen Street and Mount Edward Road, a problem intersection that's long been earmarked for an upgrade.

Terry Bernard, chair of the city's public works committee, said an engineering report concluded a roundabout would be the best way to keep traffic moving, and it would also be safer than traffic lights for both motorists and pedestrians.

He admits, however, drivers who aren't familiar with roundabouts may be hard to sell on the idea.

"If people are objecting to it, it's probably is somewhat fear of the unknown," said Bernard.

"But I think when you experience a few of these modern roundabouts and go through them, you'll see that they're pretty easy to go through, they're pretty easy to manoeuvre, and they beautify the city. You see a lot of these roundabouts that have a nice flower arrangement in the centre of them, and it works a lot better."

The city rejected the notion of a roundabout at the Peter Pan intersection on University Avenue when it was upgraded a few years ago. Bernard said a roundabout wasn't a good option there, because it's a double-lane intersection and the grade wasn't suitable.

Construction of the roundabout on Mount Edward Road is slated to begin in August and should be complete by November. Bernard says it will cost about $3 million.