Chatham-Kent’s mayor is citing safety as the key reason for expropriating land between Chatham and Tilbury to install a roundabout.
During a meeting on Monday, Chatham-Kent Council approved a motion to expropriate the land at the intersection of Queens Line and Merlin Road after negotiations between the municipality and neighbouring landowners failed to yield results.
“We need to do it. Municipalities around the province, when there’s important public infrastructure, they have that right. So that’s what we’re proceeding [with] to make that intersection safer,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff.
The intersection had become an area of concern for traffic engineers due to its hazards and poor sightlines, and council previously approved a decision to turn it into a roundabout a year ago.
Canniff said a roundabout will be wide enough to accommodate any farm equipment or large trucks that normally travel on those roads.
The mayor added that a roundabout will be cheaper and safer than installing traffic lights at the intersection. As well, he said more land would need to be expropriated if traffic lights were installed.
However, Canniff acknowledged that there may be those in the municipality who object to roundabout intersections, which are typically seen in larger communities.
“Once you get used to it you’re going to realize, oh this is safer. That’s the key piece as to why we’re doing that — to create a safe intersection,” said Canniff.