'Cautiously optimistic': Resident vows to keep pushing for Hwy. 52 roundabout

A Powerline Road West resident said he is pleased the City of Hamilton approved the funding to study a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 52 and Powerline Road West - but he plans to continue to push the city to keep the project top of mind.

The city approved $400,000 in funding Jan. 25 - as part of the 2023 capital budget - to conduct an environmental assessment as part of a study to potentially install a roundabout at the intersection. According to a city staff report in July, the cost to install a roundabout at the intersection was expected to be between $3 million and $5 million - not including land acquisition.

Dave Jones, who founded the Turn on Powerline group which represents more than 100 families concerned about traffic safety at the intersection and has been advocating for a roundabout, said he is cautiously optimistic" about the progress.

I believe that it is going to happen - it's just a matter of when - and there is a worry of it being back-burnered again," he said. That's my concern, that come budget deliberations, do we have support of council as a whole to prioritize (the roundabout) over other capital expenditures that are newer."

Jones added he feels good that both Mayor Andrea Horwath and Ward 12 Coun. Craig Cassar are at the council table - the two candidates he felt showed the strongest commitment to making the roundabout happen.

For his part, Cassar said he is supportive of the project, adding it is just a matter of figuring out the timing to make it happen.

He said the concerns of area residents around the intersection are very legitimate" and road safety and cyclist and pedestrian safety is a priority for him - adding the roundabout will help deal with all three issues due to the Hamilton-Brantford rail trail.

Having a way to make it safer for cars and for people to get across is a great idea," he said.

Meanwhile, Horwath said in an interview the environmental assessment will get underway in 2024 - which she said is the first stage" in getting the project going.

While Horwath said she will be respectful of the study process, she said she often travels on Highway 52 to Cambridge to visit her sister and said the intersection and sightlines are problematic."

I can see how a roundabout would be beneficial," she said. But you have to be respectful of the process and the people and agencies who are going to be inputting into that process.

But roundabouts have worked in intersections - including one right before that one. I think it's a solution that not only addresses the car traffic issue, but also the safety of crossing for folks using the trail."

However, she noted the study process will identify what the most optimal and feasible options are to improve what's happening there - the roundabout being a big part of that."

Horwath stressed the environmental assessment is not something that happens overnight, but in terms of pushing the project forward, she said she will plan to follow up with staff to keep the EA on track for 2024 and is completed, as well as working with Cassar on the file.

She added one of the big priorities she's seen around the council table - from one end of the city to the other - is a desire to fix road safety issues.

I can't imagine that these kinds of projects will fall off the side of somebody's desk, because I think our staff are very tuned-in to the desire of our council to really make headway when it comes to the safety of our streets and our communities."

However, Jones recalled that in the early 2000s, due to work by the Safe on 52 group, the intersection was earmarked for a roundabout - alongside the Jerseyville Road and Highway 52 intersection. However, budget constraints meant only the Jerseyville installation was completed.

Echoing the sentiment he expressed in his post-election congratulatory emails to both Cassar and Horwath, Jones said he won't let the elected officials forget about the campaign promises.

Don't for one minute think I've forgotten that you made this a campaign promise," he said. That's my only concern - it was a nice campaign thing to throw out there, but that doesn't necessarily mean they have to commit to it."

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: After the City of Hamilton approved the 2023 capital budget - including $400,000 to study the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 52 and Powerline Road West - the Review wanted to check in with stakeholders to see what's next.