In this article written for TAC News, Heide Schlegl, Coordinator, Traffic and Parking, Corporation of the Town of Milton writes about the construction of additional roundabouts in Milton, Ontario.
Prepared on behalf of the TAC Small Municipalities Task Force, this article is part of a series of feature articles on the issues and challenges affecting smaller communities.
The Town of Milton, situated in Southern Ontario’s Region of Halton and part of the Greater Toronto Area, is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada (56.5% growth rate). The number of current residents of 102,000 is expected to grow to 228,000 by 2031.
Roundabouts are fairly new within the Region of Halton. The Town of Milton currently has one multi-lane roundabout within a residential subdivision that was built in 2011, located on a collector road near an elementary school. The second one is located on Main Street West at Tremaine Road. Both Tremaine Road and Main Street West include four traffic lanes with a central median, on-street bike lanes and a multi-use path on both sides of the roadway.
Boyne Survey Phase 3 Development
The Town of Milton plans to build additional roundabouts this year under the Boyne Survey Phase 3 development. Spreading across 2000 acres, this development is projected to have a population of approximately 50,000 residents. While the road network assessment was being completed, the Engineering Services Department requested that roundabouts be considered at locations where traffic signals are warranted to improve traffic flow and increase safety.
As a result, the first phase of this development will include five new roundabouts. Two roundabouts will be installed on an arterial road which is being reconstructed to four lanes, and three roundabouts will be built on two-lane collector roads. The Town is also considering building more roundabouts in the second phase.
The most challenging location for one of these new roundabouts is adjacent to an elementary school. The school board has concerns with the number of children that will be crossing at this location. As the design process unfolds, the Town of Milton will ensure that lane widths approaching the roundabout are narrowed down to help reduce speed limits, and will be evaluating the need to place a crossing guard at this location. It will also be working with the local school board to help educate students how to properly cross at roundabouts and the safety benefits of roundabouts for pedestrians.
“Roundabouts provide a number of traffic, environmental and safety benefits,” said Paul Cripps, Director of Engineering Services for the Town of Milton. “They provide energy savings by reducing idling at four-way stops or traffic signals, and reduce right-angle collisions that are common at regular intersections.”
Compared to two-way and all-way stop intersections, pedestrians only need to cross one direction of traffic at a time, and at a shorter distance. The speeds of motorists entering and exiting a roundabout are reduced. Both drivers and pedestrians are also more likely to be more alert and aware of each other.
For additional information, visit the Town of Milton website.
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