Another roundabout and another round of major construction this summer

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Another roundabout is coming to the city this summer as construction season once again kicks off.

The new roundabout – at the corner of Brookside Drive and St. Mary’s Street – is one of several projects ready to get underway, with the city hoping improved timing will mitigate some of the traffic woes seen last year.

The city had already committed to starting the season early, where possible, to keep the work from dragging on into the late fall.

Melissa Steeves, assistant manager of engineering, design, and construction, said the roundabout at the entrance of Killarney Park should “halt slow traffic in the area” and create safer crossing for pedestrians.

Another major project set for this summer is the infrastructure renewal of Main Street – the first year of many to come to “transform the street into a more functional and pedestrian friendly gateway to northside neighbourhoods and the business district,” according to the city. This year’s work will be between Hawkins and Seymour streets.

Downtown work is expected to be especially busy this season, with not only final work being completed on Officers’ Square, but also the construction of the new justice building, right next to the new performing arts centre on the corner of Regent and King streets.

And that’s only a couple of blocks away from the last phase of the Regent Street work that’s been done in phases over the past few years, with this year closing the main fare between George Street and Churchill Row.

As well, upgrades to Northumberland Street will mean phased closures between Queen and Brunswick streets, with plans for storm and sanitary sewer upgrades, intersection upgrades, and lighting improvements. Work started last year on Queen Street is expected to be finished this year, and power lines will be moved underground on Carleton Street this fall.

Here’s a list of the main projects set for this summer:

• Killarney Lake Roundabout: (Brookside / St. Mary’s)
  • Full closure of Brookside Drive north of Glennorth Street.
• Main Street (Phase 1): Hawkins to Seymour Street
  • Phased closure of Main Street to through traffic from Hawkins to Seymour Street for the duration of construction.

• Northumberland Street (Phase 1): Queen to Brunswick Street
  • Phased closure of Northumberland from Queen to Brunswick Street, east / west traffic in either direction to be maintained.
• Officers’ Square
• Regent Street (Phase 3): George Street to Churchill Row
  • Full closure of Regent Street from George Street to Churchill Row
• Riverside Drive (Phase 2): Sumac Street to Corbett Avenue
  • Full closure of Riverside Drive from Sumac St. to Corbett Ave to through traffic for the duration of construction.
• Woodstock Road Storm Sewer Upgrade
  • Full closure of Woodstock Road at Garden Creek to Still Water Crescent through traffic for the duration of construction.

The Regent Street and Riverside Drive overhauls are the only projects being delayed until later in the season due to the pending Princess Margaret Bridge closure in May.  Engineering services and transportation manager Sean Lee said the closure timelines haven’t been finalized yet for the bridge closure. He said more information will likely be available at the mobility committee meeting in May.