Chatham-Kent councilors will consider a tender for engineering services for the Queen’s Line and Merlin Road roundabout on Monday.
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If approved, construction could begin as early as next year, following the design process.
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Staff are recommending an engineering proposal in the amount of $402,000 be awarded to LEA Consulting Ltd. of Windsor, according to a report.
The updated overall construction cost is estimated to be $4.6 million, including bridge rehabilitation work in the area.
For a number of years, there has been a call from councilors and the public to make the busy intersection, located between Chatham and Tilbury, safer.
In 2018, a study of the Queen’s Line and Merlin Road intersection was initiated to look into concerns and determine if left-turn lanes, an all-way stop or traffic lights were needed.
The result of the study recommended left-turn lanes on Queen’s Line, while an all-way stop and traffic lights were not warranted.
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However, a consultant was engaged in 2021 to review and develop recommendations for other improvements that could be considered for the intersection.
The final report recommended a roundabout be constructed to improve safety.
Due to the proximity of the roundabout to the existing Queen’s Line bridge over Government Drain 1, a condition assessment of the structure also was required to confirm its capacity to carry the additional loads of the proposed concrete islands.
In 2022, council approved a recommendation to build the roundabout. A consultant was engaged to conduct a condition assessment of the bridge and determine the required repairs to be included into the design and construction.
Land acquisition for the project was completed this past June.
Final design for the roundabout would begin this November. The project would then be tendered for construction in March of next year. Construction would start in the spring, with a project completion date of November 2024.
The traffic impacts will be communicated to the public before construction begins, the report said. There will also be an awareness campaign about the new roundabout, including educational materials for motorists and other road users on how to navigate the roundabout, and its operational and safety benefits.
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