A Salmon Arm couple’s straightforward letter of opposition towards a proposed roundabout received a shoulder check from city council.
The couple, residents of Linden Court, recently wrote the city to share their thoughts around a roundabout being considered by the city to replace the existing four-way stop at the adjacent 5th Avenue and 10th Street SW intersection. They raised several concerns, including restricted access to their 55-plus strata “whose entrances become part of the roundabout,” loss of parking, destruction of trees and risks around pedestrian safety.
“With a roundabout, crossing for pedestrians becomes virtually non-existent and therefore unsafe, as vehicle traffic is not obliged to stop,” reads the letter.
The couple raised other considerations, including the impact construction would have on nearby businesses and the cost of land acquisition.
“We have discussed this issue with a number of people and have yet to find anyone who favours a roundabout at this location,” said the couple.
Speaking to what he said was a “well-written letter” at the May 27 council meeting, Coun. Kevin Flynn asked if the roundabout is one of three the city is thinking of building. City engineering and public works director Rob Niewenhuizen confirmed it is.
“There was a traffic impact study done in 2014 which basically indicated by… 2024, we should be installing traffic signals at this intersection,” said Niewenhuizen. “But over the years, obviously we’ve looked at different options and roundabouts seem to be the most efficient for traffic movement.”
Responding to specifics in the letter, Niewenhuizen said the roundabout would not constrict access/egress to Linden Court.
“There will be some tree removal on the corner and it’s a slight amount of property that needs to be acquired for that,” said Niewenhuizen, adding such details can be included in a response the city will provide the couple.
Like Flynn, Mayor Alan Harrison also shared his appreciation of the letter.
“We have to put a roundabout at 5th and 10th because the traffic is not moving well there and it’s backing up to the light and if we don’t put one there soon we’re going to have a big problem,” said Harrison, adding the roundabout would not restrict access to the Mall at Piccadilly as there is a pedestrian crosswalk across from the mall on 10th.
“In fact, roundabouts are actually safer for pedestrians because they’re only dealing with one-way traffic flow as opposed to a four-way or a three-way intersection,” commented Niewenhuizen in response to concerns around pedestrian safety.
A second roundabout is proposed for the intersection of 11th Avenue and 30th Street NE, near Setters Neighbourhood Pub and McDonald’s restaurant. The third roundabout is proposed for the intersection of 14th Avenue SE and Shuswap Street, which will be the termination point of the planned Auto Road Connector.
Read more: Three roundabouts on the horizon for Salmon Arm
Read more: Roundabout part of possible improvements near 30th Street development in Salmon Arm
