Thirty-two residents and 14 non-residents of Lake Cowichan have signed a petition against the newly proposed roundabout as a part of the downtown revitalization project. However, only two showed up to the town meeting to express concerns and ask questions.
There seems to be some concern amongst a few residents about the room needed to accommodate the logging trucks that pass through town. Council would like to assure residents that the proposed roundabout is being handled by the Ministry of Transportation and they would not build a road that wouldn’t work for the trucks.
Joseph Fernandez met with ICBC last week, on behalf of the Town, looking for funding for safety and pedestrian issues. A local resident asked how funding from ICBC might affect our insurance rates.
“There is no motivation for them to charge more,” says Coun. Bob Day. “ICBC would benefit from the roundabout by having fewer accidents and claims put forward as a result of an accident.”
To date, from police reports, there have been 12 accidents at that corner and many close calls. Most residents are in support of the roundabout.
The roundabout will aid in a greener community as it reduces idling from stopping at a light. Roundabouts keep traffic moving, and during our summer months, would be beneficial as we are very over-populated due to tubers and visitors alike.
The Town does not know the cost yet, or who is paying but when they do they plan to share it with the public. “There are mechanisms in place to not spend without the resident’s permission.” says Day.
The property owned around that corner belongs to the Town so there are no issues of having to purchase property for the project.
