Province moves roundabout to design stage

The Ontario government has awarded Stantec Consulting Ltd. the detail design contract for the roundabout at Highway 62 and County Road 1.

The detail design includes reconstructing existing pavement, modifying entrances, improving drainage and installing new lighting and landscaping.

“The detailed design work is an important final step before tendering the construction,” said Tyler Allsopp, MPP for Bay of Quinte. “I’m pleased that our government is helping us move one step closer to getting shovels in the ground.”

“Advancing the Highway 62 and County Road 1 roundabout project to the detailed design stage is an important milestone for our community,” adds Steve Ferguson, Mayor, Prince Edward County. “This project will address the long-standing safety concerns at this intersection. We’re grateful for the provincial support of this critical project and ongoing investments in Prince Edward County’s transportation infrastructure.”

Ferguson had been trying to pin down the timeline since last January when he asked Stantec at a planning meeting about when it could begin. The detailed design was predicted to be “within a year” but start of construction, Stantec answered they “can’t put a year on it, but that (2025) would be optimistic.”

Since Highway 62 is a provincial highway the municipality is not responsible for its upkeep and the provincial government must lead the charge on the project.

The County’s Traffic Advisory Committee requested the municipality write the Ministry of Transportation – in November 2020 – to seek action “to address the dangerous intersection” at Hwy 62 and County Road 1 – specifically recommending a roundabout be constructed.

PEC OPP and County officials met with then Minister of Transportation in 2022 to reiterate the request. As a result of those lobbying efforts, the minister directed MTO staff to start an environmental assessment.’

Since, public meetings and alternatives have been presented and discussed, with the roundabout coming out as the preferred option.

The details of the proposed work are to be further developed as the detail design work progresses and will be presented to the public and agencies at one Public Information Centre meeting.