Controversial road design project is moving forward after much public opposition in Niagara-on-the-Lake

The much-contested St. Davids roundabout project is about to break ground in Niagara-on-the-Lake and regional officials are asking for public feedback.

Residents in the area have long disputed the incentive, as one organization even drafted a petition to prevent the roundabout’s construction in 2023.

The project aims to reconstruct York Road (Regional Road 81) and Four Mile Creek Road (Regional Road 100) in the St. Davids area in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Regional officials have noted that the roundabout will provide a single lane to accommodate tractor-trailer-sized vehicles while operating alongside smaller commuter vehicles.

However, those opposing the roundabout are not thrilled with noisy farm equipment careening in circles in their neighbourhood.

“The purpose roundabouts provide is the opposite of what’s needed in our village centre. We need traffic to slow down and to stop. We need children and elders, including those with visual impairment and other needs, along with the tourists we so happily welcome, to cross safely,” said a post on change.org by the St Davids Rate Payers Association.

Additional amenities attached to the St. Davids roundabout project include raised splitter islands with curbs to control vehicle entry speeds and pedestrian crossovers at each leg of the roundabout.

As a byproduct of public contention — and the long road to a 2027 completion date — Niagara Region has offered Niagara-on-the-Lake residents the chance to contribute their two cents with a public engagement seminar on ‘streetscaping’ tied to the St. Davis roundabout.

Hey @Town_of_NOTL!

Join our public engagement workshop to share your input on the proposed St. Davids roundabout streetscaping.

📅 Nov. 13, 5-7 p.m.
📍 White Oaks Resort and Spa

Email [email protected] by Nov. 6 to register.
More info: https://t.co/j0by7RhwzM pic.twitter.com/zgjZqyLSuy

— Niagara Region (@NiagaraRegion) October 23, 2024

Streetscaping is a term that often refers to the utilization of natural and already existing elements of a road, such as trees and landscaping that can be applied to future revitalization projects.

The seminar is scheduled for Nov. 13 and is to be held at the White Oaks Resort and Spa in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

For more information on the St. Davis roundabout project, visit Niagara Region’s official website.