First highway roundabout will improve safety near Oak Bluff, province says

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This article was published 22/03/2018 (2790 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba’s highway network is set to get its first roundabout.

Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler announced Thursday that the provincial government plans to build a roundabout at the intersection of highways 2 and 3, just south of Oak Bluff.

“There have been a number of concerns related to this intersection. The volume of traffic has created long lines, as well as unsafe merging and crossings. This roundabout is the product of a thorough design process, taking into account speed, driver comfort, future growth and oversized loads,” Schuler said. The province believes the roundabout will help manage traffic at the intersection, used by about 10,000 vehicles every day. Research shows roundabouts have less expensive maintenance costs than traffic lights and reduce injuries by 76 per cent and fatal crashes by 90 per cent. The project will go into the tender phase shortly and is projected to be completed later this year.

Schuler also announced Thursday that the province will conduct consultations aimed at improving safety on the south Perimeter Highway. Safety and operational problems have increased as more drivers access the highway at more locations. There are also multiple uncontrolled access points and median openings. Traffic volume on the south Perimeter is more than 30,000 vehicles per day. “The Perimeter Highway is one of the most important economic corridors in Manitoba and is a major route for many people every day. There is a need for significant interim safety measures while we develop a plan to ensure the safety of all who use the road in the longer term,” Schuler said.

Manitoba Infrastructure plans to consult with stakeholders, such as users, residents and municipalities, in order to review plans aimed at improving safety at the uncontrolled intersections from Portage Avenue on the west to Fermor Avenue on the east. “There have been numerous collisions at controlled intersections with stop signs and many intersections do not have adequate space to accommodate turning vehicles, which causes safety issues,” the province’s press release notes.