The potential of a roundabout is being raised again in Fort Frances.
Council has agreed to reallocate funds for a traffic study at the intersection of Central Avenue, Second and Third Streets.
The town applied for government funding in 2024 to redesign the intersection but it was denied due to inadequate background materials to support the application.
Operations and Facilities Manager Travis Rob says the traffic study can determine the feasibility of a roundabout.
“All that does is help us plead our case, so to speak, with connection link money to design an intersection, signalized,” says Rob.
“Now, if it does come back and say, yes, a roundabout can work in this area with these volumes, with these pedestrians, with the underground infrastructure. Again, we can use that application for the design of a roundabout.”
Rob notes the intersection has several deficiencies and does not conform to Ministry of Transportation standards.
He believes the study will support the case for a roundabout.
Some councillors question the decision to proceed.
Councillor Bill Morrison would like more information on the cost of a roundabout versus installing new traffic lights.
“I just don’t see spending that money right now until we have some stats that say the lights going to be $500,000, a roundabout to $1.2 million,” says Morrison.
Some estimates were put forward when council discussed the idea last fall, but exact costs have not yet been determined.
Councillor Steve Maki says there is little appetite in the community for a roundabout.
“Over 100 (people) have approached me to speak against this roundabout. I had two people actually in favour of that,” says Maki.
“This isn’t anything that the will of the community wants. They would prefer to see us spending all of that money on streets getting fixed, sewer and water getting taken care of.”
Thunder Bay and Kenora have roundabouts.
Thunder Bay paid over $2.6 million to install its first in 2020 in the Northwood area, a mainly residential area.
It is now planning a second for its downtown north core, also estimated at $2.6 million.
Kenora’s roundabout by its waterfront was built at a cost of $1.2 million.
