Despite a number of delays that have pushed back the deployment of the Main Avenue mini roundabouts, officials expect the pilot project will be installed in the coming weeks.
Provided a heavy snow cover does not come early this year, planners are optimistic that the traffic circles, which were originally hoped to be in by June, will be put in place before winter.
"Hopefully, the weather plays ball and we can get it done," said Stuart Richardson, Alberta Transportation infrastructure manager, last week.
Sundre residents undoubtedly noticed crews recently working on sections of sidewalks at the intersections along Main Avenue.
That construction is being done in preparation of the impending installation of the roundabouts. A contractor was hired to ensure the sidewalk pedestrian crossing points are going to line up with the pedestrian crossing points for the traffic circles, he said.
"There'll be pedestrian crossings at each intersection."
Another contractor will be responsible for line painting as well as actually installing the roundabouts. The modular components for the traffic circles ordered from a U.S. company have recently been arriving in Sundre, he said.
The project's cost, which is being borne by Alberta Transportation, is now in excess of $1 million ó an increase over initial estimates because the modular roundabout components came in more than anticipated.
Additionally, the original tender was not successful, resulting in multiple contractors getting involved to deliver the project, which also drove up the cost a bit, he said.
Officials want to roll out the pilot project sooner rather than later, in large part to see whether the new, innovative product being used for the traffic circles could potentially lay the groundwork for future projects throughout the province.
Once all of the components have been delivered, the actual installation should not take long, he said, adding the parts simply need to be bolted straight down in the asphalt and that lane marking can be done at the same time as well.
But further progress at this point depends largely on conditions.
"The weather forecast's not looking too bad, so fingers crossed," said Richardson.
"If the snow falls and we can't get the lane lines down, we might have to postpone until spring."
Following installation, the pilot project will be reviewed after one year to analyze whether the goals of improving pedestrian safety while maintaining a flow of traffic have been achieved.
"We'll give it an initial year to review how it operates," he said.
If for whatever reason the roundabouts are deemed unsuccessful, it will be back to square one in pursuit of a new plan. But officials have been mindful of making Sundre's main corridor safer by attempting to establish as big a buffer as possible between heavy truck traffic and the sidewalks, he said.
Longer-term plans for Main Avenue include an operational overhaul.
"We know Highway 27 through Sundre is going to be coming up for rehab in the next five-plus years," he said.
While there is no timeline yet, the project is anticipated. The scope of that work will in part depend on how the pilot project pans out. Should everything go according to plan and the roundabouts are determined suitable for continued use, the traffic circles could be installed permanently when Main Avenue is eventually rehabilitated, he said.
"We'll make that decision when that rehab job comes up," he said, adding other details such as what length of the road will be repaved will be determined at that time.
