By Dominic Abassi

2.3 million dollar roundabout project moving ahead in north Nanaimo

Aug 12, 2016 | 10:05 PM

NANAIMO — All indications are a new roundabout is on the way for the city of Nanaimo — and within the next 10 years, it could feature two lanes.             

Nanaimo council has approved, in principle, the new traffic feature at the intersection of Rutherford and Nelson Roads, as a new way of accessing Linley Valley West.

Staff originally studied two options for the intersection; a traffic light at a cost of around $1.6 million or a multi-lane roundabout with an estimated price tag of $2.3 million.

Project engineer with the city of Nanaimo Chris Lang says staff changed their focus to a multi-lane roundabout because their projections showed a single-lane option wouldn’t be able to handle future traffic volumes.

A double-lane rounadabout would be a first for the city.

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But a ‘phased’ multi-lane roundabout has emerged as the new option.

Lang says there are several advantages to this approach.

The transition will be easier for drivers getting used to a roundabout in a fairly major corridor and it hedges the risk of overbuilding an intersection that is bigger than it initially needs to be.

But the major advantage right now, Lang says, is that it allows the city to defer about $225,000 worth of project costs in the interim.

“If growth continues, then at that point we can look at expanding the existing single-lane arrangement into a multi-lane arrangement, with additional lanes on Rutherford Road,” said Lang.

He says based on their projections, it will take about 10 years for traffic to increase to the point where wait times in a single-lane intersection will be too long.

Lang says the project will be built to full size right off the start, but the second lanes will basically become part of the landscaping until they are needed.

The budget also includes concessions for a connector road into Linley Valley West, new pedestrian links, a new crossing and traffic calming on Nelson Road.

During public engagement on a preferred option, opinions were split. Out of 200 comments, 52% were in favour of a traffic light, according to Lang.

Detailed design work will run through the end of this year, he says.

If everything plays out the way it is expected to, construction will begin in February and be wrapped up in September or October of 2017.

While the project is approved in principle and staff have been directed to complete final design work, Lang points out the money needs to be officially adopted into the 2017 financial plan.

As for people learning how to properly traverse an intimidating multi-lane roundabout, Lang says he would hope the city undertakes a comprehensive education campaign.