After ongoing construction since the summer, the new $4.6 million roundabout at the intersection of Highways 55 and 892 is now open to traffic.
For the past two weeks, motorists have been navigating their way through the circular intersection, which is meant to increase traffic safety and improve traffic flow.
“These types of intersections are so much safer,” said Alberta Transportation's Jeanna Friedley. “They completely eliminate the t-bone collision, completely eliminate devastating head-on collisions and they drastically reduce the overall number of collisions.”
She added, “People may be a little wary of (roundabouts) at first, but we've found that motorists become accustomed to them very quickly.”
This is the fourth roundabout built into Alberta's provincial highway network.
Though it remains to been seen what the actual effects of the roundabout are over time, the project has received criticism, with about 1,200 residents signing a petition opposing the MD of Bonnyville's $2 million contribution to the project earlier this year.
Other residents are concerned larger vehicles, such as tractor-trailer units and oversized loads will not be able to navigate the roundabout.
The provincial government has set up a website explaining how to use single-lane roundabouts and the benefits of them.
The website (http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/3644.htm) explains that large trucks will be able to navigate the roundabout by using the truck apron around the centre island that provides drivers with some extra room to manoeuvre.
Though the roundabout is open to traffic, Friedley said there is a possibility workers could still be at the site doing some finishing work, including finishing the ditches next spring.
She said motorist should use caution and reduce speed when approaching and entering the roundabout.
The provincial government has released its latest statistics regarding roundabouts in Alberta.
Modern roundabouts can reduce fatal collisions by 90 per cent, injuries by 80 per cent and the total number of crashes by 40 per cent.
