City considers roundabout at Second Line and Goulais Avenue

Three words tucked into the 675-page agenda for next week's city council meeting may come as a surprise to residents in the Second Line-Goulais Avenue neighbourhood.

In a brief report recommending the city spend $700,000 to buy a commercial building at 628 Second Line West, Jeffrey King from the city's legal department says the property is needed to improve the intersection for either right turning lane "or a roundabout."

On May 29, the city announced it was starting work on a Goulais Avenue reconfiguration project to improve traffic safety.

"The project, spanning from Second Line to Chippewa Street will transform the current four-lane roadway into a three-lane configuration," said a news release.

"This new layout will include two through-lanes for vehicles, painted bike lanes, and centre two-way left turn. This redesign aims to enhance traffic safety, reduce vehicle speeds, and promote cycling and pedestrian activity," the city said, suggesting work would begin before the end of May and would be finished by June.

There was no talk about a traffic roundabout at that time.

628 Second Line West is owned by Windsor Park Residence Ltd.

The building is currently home to Paw'n Pet Food & Grooming and BST Pawnbrokers.

Money for the purchase and demolition would come from the city's uncommitted capital roads reserve fund.

Sault Ste. Marie Housing Corp. is building a $5.1-million, 11-unit affordable housing project nearby at 664 Second Line West.

Completion date for that project is the end of April 2025.

Next week's city council meeting will be live-streamed on SooToday starting at 5 p.m. Monday.