A widened transit exchange, coupled with new roundabouts and shorter crossing distances are all included in early planning for a revamp of Norwell Dr., next to Country Club Centre. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

streetscape changes

Concept plans for Norwell refit include roundabouts, bigger transit exchange

Mar 9, 2026 | 8:34 AM

NANAIMO — Roundabouts, an expanded transit exchange and narrower crossing distances are all envisioned in early concept plans for a revamped Norwell Dr.

The City has begun a second round of public consultation on their vision for the busy corridor between 107th St. and the Island Hwy., which would see lighted intersections at Departure Bay Rd. and Ross Rd. replaced with roundabouts.

While the surface-level changes will be most noticeable for residents, City engineering project technologist Rob Shearer said it’s work beneath the street which is the reason for the project at all.

“We have aged water mains, storm and sanitary sewers along Norwell Dr., there’s asbestos cement, sewers are backing up in certain areas along the corridor. They’re old, and they’re in the capital plan for renewal, so it’s of appropriate timing to get in there and dig up the road and get to those important backbone assets underneath.”

Concept designs for the Norwell Dr. overhaul. (City of Nanaimo)

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He said ripping up the road to replace aging infrastructure is an opportunity to “give the whole corridor a facelift.”

Designs are still considered preliminary, with details on the project expected to firm up after the current round of consultation.

For now, City staff are planning for an expanded sidewalk and transit exchange adjoining Country Club Centre, two roundabouts with crosswalks on all sides, and reducing the road from two lanes in each direction to just one.

The crossing distance at the existing crosswalk next to the Barons Rd. intersection would be reduced via bump-outs, shortening the distance pedestrians were on the roadway.

Shearer told NanaimoNewsNOW the area is poised to get busier and more housing dense in the coming years, further pressing the need to address how traffic and pedestrians move throughout it.

Students walking to and from Wellington Secondary, shoppers to Country Club Centre, transit users, and those accessing the Urgent Care Centre on Norwell Dr. are all adding to volumes as well.

“There are a lot more people on these narrow sidewalks in the corridor, there’s a frankly pretty bad crossing in the middle of the space that we’re talking about. A lot of folks are concerned about these crossings on Norwell Dr. and just how dangerous they are and the potential risks down the line.”

Aging traffic light infrastructure at Departure Bay Rd. and Ross Rd. intersections are proposed to be replaced by roundabouts. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

The addition of roundabouts follows a trend being seen more in Nanaimo over recent years.

Shearer was heavily involved in the widely praised Mary Ellen Dr. refresh, which added a roundabout, in 2023, while the City recently moved ahead on another roundabout along Hammond Bay Rd. at Brickyard Rd.

“They’re also a lot safer. Of course, they cut down intersection delays, but they also cut down the risk of really severe incidents, so they make sense to tackle the concerns of residents around safety but also deal with the traffic flows that we’re expecting to see when Norwell enters its next phases of growth in the coming years.”

Shearer said while roundabouts are more expensive up front, a near-total lack of maintenance needed on them compared to traffic lights makes them a better option long-term.

A public input survey is open until April 17, asking residents for their feedback on the design and concept plan.

Following a review of the feedback, the City will move to detailed design and costing, with a tentative goal for construction in 2027.

Currently, $12 million has been budgeted for the work, including all underground infrastructure replacement.

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