Later this summer the City of Corner Brook will have its first roundabout. Located on Confederation Drive, this will be the first intersection of its kind in the City. As a result, City staff are putting extra emphasis on information and education for residents. 

Harbourside Transportation Consultants, who designed the roundabout, will be hosting a public information session on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. concerning the upcoming project. To participate, head to this Zoom RSVP link. 

HTC and City Staff will discuss start dates, the phases involved with construction, as well as what to expect as the structure changes Confederation Dr. and West Valley Rd. throughout the coming months. 

If you are unable to make it, a full video of the session will be posted to this page soon afterward. 

For more information about this project, see Page 52 point 12.0 of this Comprehensive Traffic Signals Evaluation from 2018. 

FAQ’s

Why a roundabout? 

A roundabout is a traffic intersection without signals. In roundabouts, vehicles enter and exit constantly, yielding to traffic already in the roundabout as well as pedestrians. When a vehicle enters the roundabout it has the right-of-way until it exits. Roundabouts account for a 75% reduction in collisions with injuries and a 90% reduction in collisions resulting in death. The most common cause of a collision in a roundabout is failure to yield.

Why here? 

The traffic lights at the West Valley Rd. and Confederation Dr. intersection was due to be replaced soon. This project was identified as a priority, and chosen based on this fact. Roundabouts are cheaper to maintain than traffic lights, and while the typical life expectancy of a traffic light system is 10 years on average, a roundabout can operate for 20 years before significant maintenance may be required. So, this roundabout will cost taxpayers less in capital infrastructure repairs throughout the next twenty years of its lifetime.

What are some other benefits? 

Because there is no idling or waiting for lights, roundabouts are known to lower emissions and reduce traffic congestion. 

Improved pedestrian safety: Pedestrians have the right-of-way at roundabouts and vehicles a required to yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians only have to cross lanes one or two lanes with one direction of travel at a time.

Improved cyclist safety: Cyclists have two options at roundabouts, they can choose to travel with vehicles throughout the roundabout or to dismount and travel with pedestrians on the sidewalk.

Improved efficiency: Roundabouts are more effective in power outages.

How do I use it?

Keep driving. Yield to pedestrians. When you enter, yield to vehicles that are already in the roundabout. Because this is a one-lane roundabout, entering and exiting is as simple as taking it slow. Below are some useful videos you can use as a reference. 

 

Summary of Project Phases:

 

 

Public Information Session: