SUDBURY – Greater Sudbury's first traffic roundabout is set to open on Monday as part of the Maley Drive project, replacing the set of traffic lights outside of College Boreal.
"Roundabouts have been adopted across the province and we are kind of a little bit late to the game, but it's about time that we get one… they're a safer way of directing traffic at some intersections," explained David Shelsted, City of Greater Sudbury.
The city only has one at the moment, located in a quiet inner-city subdivision, so for many Sudburians, this will be their first.
Laurentian Driving School Instructor Joel Quenville says he thinks "everybody can handle it, but because it's new… they're going to get a little bit confused with the signalling, which most people might not do right away."
Not only are roundabouts part of Quenville's course, but he also anticipates the ministry will likely look to make it part of the driver's test.
His best advice is to take it slow and steady.
"Don't trust what everyone else is doing… be defensive is the best thing to do."
Many staff and students at College Boreal will be relying on the roundabout to enter campus and reaction to the new addition is mixed.
"It's definitely going to be a tough time… I'm definitely going to stick to the back roads I think," said one driver.
"I'm excited… I'm a big fan of roundabouts. I prefer them to the intersections. It keeps the traffic moving," said another.
"We know that it's going to take time for people to get accustomed to driving and a new way of doing things, but we feel really confident over time that this is a good news story for the college," expressed Michel Doucet, College Boreal.
The city knows there are probably some first-time jitters out there but overall, it's not anticipating any problems.
Two more roundabouts are coming to Sudbury roads and Maley Drive is tentatively scheduled to open at the end of next week.
