(Posted 8:30 a.m., July 10)
Controversial traffic circle to cost more than first estimated
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

The controversial roundabout being built at Jeanne d'Arc and St. Joseph boulevards is going to cost more than first estimated, way more. In fact, it's going to cost $750,000 more.

The project which has been met by a wave of opposition from local residents, was originally pegged at $1.75 million, now staff are saying it will cost $2.5 million. The increase will require the full $2.5 million that was earmarked for St. Joseph improvements in the Infrastructure Stimulus Funding which was announced last spring. That means that city council must decide whether or not to spend another $800,000 on streetscaping improvements that were passed as part of the overall St. Joseph improvement initiative in May

Orléans Ward Coun. Bob Monette says he plans to introduce a motion to provide the $800,000 from other sources, likely reserves, when city council meets on Wednesday.

In an Ottawa Sun article to come out on Saturday, Monette also states that he never supported the project in the first place, when in fact he voiced his support for the roundabout in an article that appeared in the Ottawa Citizen on Dec. 14, 2009.

In the article, which appeared after the Heart of Orleans BIA endorsed the roundabout at their AGM, Monette is quoted as saying that it would help give St. Joseph Blvd. a real “identity” and that “it will be a new experience”.

Using the grant for one large project at the gateway to the area, rather than for small changes throughout the strip, was a better “bang for our buck,” Monette went on to say.

It wasn't until after public opposition to the project began to build during an open house in January, that Monette came out against the idea.

(This story was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local business partners.)

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