TRURO - A decision to seek tenders for a roundabout at the McClures Mills connector in Truro is frustrating a resident who lives near the proposed project.
Bill Crouse, who lives at the corner of James Street and the connector road, was not pleased to hear the town is moving forward with the rotary that would be located behind Lawtons Drug Store at the intersection of McClures Mills and Lower Truro roads at a cost of about $250,000. The reasoning for the roundabout was alleviation of traffic jams, especially with the opening of the new hospital and civic centre.
"I live next door to the project. Ask yourself, ‘would I want this beside my house?'" Crouse said to council.
"Willow Street is bad enough as it is. Council hasn't put in enough time looking at this. Is it too late to change it?"
"The alternatives were never weighed," Crouse said. He suggests erecting a no left-hand turn at James Street and Lower Truro Road.
The other concern Crouse had was the lack of information about the project to area residents.
"The first time I heard anything would happen was before the July (council) meeting ... that was the only time the public had any input," said Crouse, adding some public emotion in his neighbourhood is frustration.
"People said the Town of Truro is going to do what the Town of Truro wants to do."
Coun. Raymond Tynes said the public has a responsibility to keep abreast of town projects.
"We don't knock on every door," to provide information, said Tynes.
"The onus is on the people" to look to the media and town websites for information, he said.
Andrew MacKinnon, director of public works, confirmed at a Truro town council meeting on Monday that the project will go to tender in two or three weeks.
Construction could potentially begin this winter, MacKinnon said.
"If a big company is hungry to do it ... my hope is that construction could begin before Christmas," MacKinnon told the Truro Daily News. "It could take a week or two or two or three months. "Crouse stressed two other issues related to the project. For one thing, he said, the town needs to look at other options to deal with traffic in the area.
mchiasson@trurodaily.com
the town is to busy trying to make truro like the city and they don't take time to think.Truro is a retirement community roundabouts just what seniors need.They should be busy trying to solve the flooding issues.As far as the connector put lights in.