A plan that was put on hold in 2013 due to pedestrian safety concerns could finally move forward next week as regional staff ask the engineering and environmental services committee to green light its preferred design for a roundabout near St. Benedict high school.
The request includes a $5.6 million increase to a budget that taps into the Roads Regional Development Charges Reserve Fund for $786,000 this year and $15.4 million between 2025 and 2029.
Pending regional council approval, construction is anticipated to move ahead in 2027, after the region acquires land, completes a detailed design and relocates utilities in advance of the work.
The section of Franklin Boulevard between Bishop Street to Avenue Road is the last remaining section to be improved as part of the region's original 2010 Environmental Assessment of Franklin Boulevard, between Pinebush and Myers roads.
Staff say the need for a budget increase is due in part to the escalation of construction costs and land acquisition.
The scope of the project also increased with the inclusion of a pedestrian tunnel underneath Franklin Boulevard to eliminate the safety hazard of students trying to cross.
The intersection has one of the highest pedestrian demands in the region with over 800 pedestrians recorded crossing Franklin Boulevard during the peak hour, a total of approximately 1,600 daily crossings, and enrolment of 1,800 students at the adjacent high school.
The area was part of an eight kilometre section of Franklin Boulevard where an environmental assessment was completed in 2010 that recommended a raised centre median and roundabouts.
In 2013, the design of a three-lane roundabout at Franklin Boulevard/Saginaw Parkway was deferred because of safety concerns at roundabouts near high schools after a student was struck at the roundabout at Homer Watson and Block Line near St. Mary's High School in Kitchener.
A new study was initiated in 2021 to complete a technical review of transportation improvements and provide recommendations. A series of public meetings and surveys earlier this year gave local stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback.
Staff say the majority of residents and business owners who gave feedback supported the roundabout design along with the grade separated pedestrian pathway under Franklin Boulevard.
The preferred design includes four lanes of traffic, centre medians, multi-use trails on both sides of the road and roundabouts at the Franklin Boulevard and Can-Amera Parkway and Franklin/Elgin Street – Saginaw intersections.
Common concerns were around the right-turn slip lanes and the idea they will cause too much speeding and prevent vehicles from properly stopping for pedestrians.
Additionally, there were safety concerns regarding the grade separated pedestrian crossing, particularly during evening and nighttime hours.
Staff say the pedestrian underpass will be wide and well lit.
The project includes replacement and new watermain infrastructure around the Turnbull Reservoir.
