Lincoln Road Roundabout

This year the City of Fredericton is undertaking a project that will completely transform the intersection of Lincoln and Wilsey Road. We’re building a roundabout to improve traffic flow and raising the elevation of both Lincoln and Wilsey Roads to maintain critical transportation connections during any future flooding events. That means that once the work is complete this key route will stay open longer, and re-open faster, during flood events.

Building resilience to flooding is a major priority for the City and work that’s been folded into our plans for decades. Upgrading our underground infrastructure and creating safer stretches of road at the same time means we won’t need to disrupt this area with construction work again for years to come.

What is being accomplished?

• Raising both Lincoln and Wilsey Roads to make the intersection more resilient to future flooding impacts.
• Replacing water, sanitary, and storm sewer pipe along Lincoln & Wilsey Road.
• Replacing current traffic signals with a roundabout at Lincoln & Wilsey Road to improve traffic flow and make the area safer for drivers and pedestrians.
• New sidewalk, guide rail, streetlight, and fence to be installed.
• A retaining wall will be added at the southeast of the intersection.

Why a Roundabout over Traffic Signals at the Intersection?

• When this intersection was studied for future traffic volumes, it was determined that extra lanes would need to be added and extended to accommodate predicted increases in traffic. Adding extra lanes of traffic would mean the City would need to fill out land closer to the river. Using a roundabout gave City engineers a solution to raise the road, accommodate future anticipated traffic volumes and maintain the current banks of the river.
• Roundabouts improve traffic flow and reduce idling times at the intersection resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
• The installation of the roundabout along with center medians at the trail crossing will result in lower speeds along the Lincoln Road corridor.
• A roundabout will improve safety at the intersection by eliminating the risk of right-angle collisions.

How will this work help mitigate the damage caused by future floods?

• Lincoln Road has previously flooded at the intersection of Lincoln & Wilsey. Raising the elevation of the road will keep the road and the intersection functioning during future flood events. This means the road will stay open longer and reopen sooner during any future flooding events.
• This project will raise Lincoln Road up to 1.8 m above the existing roadway to increase the resilience of the roadway to future spring freshet flooding.
• Future climate change impacts were considered with flood mapping used to determine the new road height.

What are the traffic impacts for residents/commuters?

The project will be completed in 4 phases, each with separate detours to try and limit impacts to motorists. Local residents and businesses will have access to their property for the duration of construction. The contractor will coordinate with residents when construction is occurring in front of neighbourhood properties.

Detour maps will be updated as construction progresses throughout the summer:

Phase 1: Lincoln Road (East Side) Closed – Traffic will detour on Vanier Industrial Dive and Wilsey Road.

Phase 2: Lincoln Road (West Side) Closed – Traffic will detour on Forrest Hill Drive, Kimble Road and Wilsey Road.

Phase 3: Full Intersection Closure – Traffic will detour on Vanier Industrial Drive, Wilsey Road, Kimble Drive and Forest Hill Drive.

Phase 4: Wilsey Road Closed – Traffic will detour on Forest Hill Road and Kimble Drive.

What are the Transit impacts for residents / commuters?

The City’s Transit system will be impacted and buses will detour along assigned routes. Visit www.fredericton.ca/transit for more information. The following stops will be closed during construction.

• 18 Siverwood: Lincoln 6100 stop will be closed.
• 20 Lincoln: Stops Lincoln and Wilsey 6056 and Lincoln and Lincoln Trail 6057 will be closed.

Why are we doing this now?

• Raising this intersection will mitigate future flooding of the road.
• Combining infrastructure repairs with road work limits future construction and closures along this route.
• The city of Fredericton received funding from the Provincial and Federal Governments to complete the project.

Are any trees being removed?

• There will be minor tree removal at the southwest intersection of the roundabout to accommodate the new footprint of the roundabout along with relocating powerlines.

Will there be more construction on these roads in coming years (explain phases – if any - over next years):

• This is the second phase of six phase, 4-year roadway and infrastructure improvement project along Lincoln Road to accommodate future growth in the area.
• Future phases also involve raising the elevation of other sections of the Lincoln Road, replacing underground water, sanitary and storm pipes and general roadway improvements from the Federal Research Development Centre to the Princess Margaret Bridge.

How are these projects being funded?

• City of Fredericton Budget – General Fund
• City of Fredericton Budget – Utility Fund
• Government of New Brunswick – NBDTI Provincial-Municipal Highway Partnership
• Government of Canada – Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund