kingston city council to consider hwy. 15 intersection options
cost increases cast doubt on planned roundabout at entrance to new subdivision along highway 15 in kingston.
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kingston city council is to consider its options to rebuild an intersection at the entrance to a new subdivision on the east side of kingston.
elliot ferguson
/
the whig-standard
kingston — city council is to look at options for a new intersection on the main road through the east end of the city.
the city had planned for the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of hwy. 15 and summer valley terrace, which is to be the entrance to a subdivision being built in a former quarry.
the subdivision’s developer committed $375,000 to the roundabout and the city budgeted $3.8 million for the roundabout project, but a projected cost increase of more than $1.4 million cast some doubt on the project.
a roundabout would require significant realignment of hwy. 15, both vertical and horizontal, relocation of infrastructure, changes to the greenwood park stormwater management pond and recreational trail. a roundabout would also require a municipal environmental impact assessment.
“these factors are contributing to the request for budget increase and also bring risk to the outcome of the project,” stated a report last month to council from paige agnew, commissioner of growth and development services. “as studies (stormwater management report and geotechnical study) are incomplete there are unknowns that could lead to delays in the project or additional costs beyond the current budget request even with standard buffers.”
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the cost increase would be funded by development charges reserve fund and the municipal capital reserve fund and bring the total budget for a roundabout to more than $5.2 million.
in response to the projected cost increase, the developer offered to build the roundabout at a cost of $3.4 million. the city would still need to increase the budget for the project by $350,000 to cover the additional costs.
an alternative to the roundabout is an all ages and abilities signalized intersection, similar to recent intersection rebuilds across the city. this option would cost about $1 million.
“the construction of a signalized intersection provides cost savings in this location compared to a roundabout as it can be constructed in the existing alignment of hwy. 15 with expansion of the existing footprint occurring only to provide dedicated turning lanes,” the report stated.
“the cost savings from constructing a signalized intersection, estimated at $2.8 million, would be earmarked to be used in later budgets to support intersection upgrades in the east end including future roundabouts.”
city council is to consider its options for the intersection at its tuesday night meeting.
elferguson@postmedia.com
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