A key Niagara-on-the-Lake intersection is set for transformation, and residents are being asked to help choose between two designs, with voting opportunities in-person or online continuing until May 16.
By noon on the first day of voting on the design for the St. Davids roundabout only five people had shown up, but it is early in the process and there are several opportunities to be involved, up to May 16.
At the St. Davids firehall, The Local spoke to one St. Davids resident who came to ask questions and cast his vote. Overall, former Lord Mayor Dave Eke said that he supports the roundabout because it encourages traffic flow, and is a safer alternative to the current four-way stop.
A “gentle flow” of traffic and “continuous movement of vehicles takes away frustration and makes it more pleasant,” said Eke. “The safety factor of the roundabout is that it does slow traffic down, and secondly, you don’t have people riding through an intersection on a red light,” potentially causing serious accidents.
Eke said the Niagara Region considered installing signal lights with a turning lane heading west, towards St. Catharines, but this design was practically the same size as a roundabout.
Eke was one of about 80 people who attended a Region-sponsored discussion in November held at White Oaks Conference Centre. Since then, he said he finds that the concerns and issues with having a roundabout have died down a little.
“People saw the advantage (of a roundabout) and wanted to have their input. I think it’s important to to vote on a topic that has raised some concerns or issues.”
The intersection reconstruction and improvement at York Road and Four Mile Creek Road will result in a single-lane roundabout similar to Virgil’s roundabout at Niagara Stone Road and Concession 6.
Residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake (not just St. Davids) can vote on many aspects of the streetscaping, a term that refers to the natural and built elements of the street. There was input from residents as well when the Niagara Stone Road design was a topic of discussion.
Residents can vote for a historical or an agricultural roundabout and gateway.
Eke is “a real historian,” but prefers “the agricultural design because it has some large stonework” that displays significant features of St. Davids and Niagara-on-the-Lake, such as the Gristmill and War of 1812, he said.
The centre of the agricultural roundabout features a large rounded trellis that allows training vines to climb. According to the Region’s website, “the feature will be visually striking and reflect the importance of agriculture to the community of St. Davids.”
The historical concept incorporates a corten (referring to its weathering properties) steel valley representing the Niagara Escarpment and blue oat ornamental grasses representing Four Mile Creek. This roundabout is divided into four quadrants that symbolize an Indigenous medicine wheel.
By noon on the first day of voting on the design for the St. Davids roundabout only five people had shown up, but it is early in the process and there are several opportunities to be involved, up to May 16.
Cast your vote online at
In-person voting will continue to take place at the St. Davids Firehall:
Wednesday, May 7: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday, May 9: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, May 12: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Friday, May 16: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
NOTL Library on Anderson Lane:
Wednesday, May 7: 4 – 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 8: 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14: 4 – 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 15: 10:30 a.m. – 1p.m. and 5 – 7 p.m.
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