The current pylon configuration for the Highway 12 and Loewen Boulevard intersection project has caused congestion on Brandt Street south of Main.
Traffic controls were recently moved to accommodate a change in the work being done at the construction site and a shift in the crossover.
Aaron Rach, Head Engineer for the City of Steinbach says, “The lane closure moving to the south of Main Street was required because placing it north of the intersection would have been too close to the crossover and wouldn’t meet advance signage requirements.”
However, as a result, traffic is routinely backed up past A&W.
Owner Derek Williamson says “I think people are courteous enough to let people on and off the highway. I think everybody's trying to make the best of it, that's what I hear. I do hear a lot of complaints though, the customers will tell me what they think of the highway conditions.”
Williamson says his big issue is that he feels the changes haven't been communicated well enough and so they often feel arbitrary and unnecessary.
Fortunately, Williamson notes the construction crews themselves have been very easy to work with.
“If I get somebody in a white hat and a red truck, they always stop, they talk, and they explain things through. If a few cones need to be moved, they usually do move them. They're great to deal with, and I've had no issues with the construction crews.”
Aaron Rach says the current traffic control configuration is temporary, adding “traffic will become divided with two lanes northbound and one lane southbound shortly. We are just waiting for a confirmed schedule for this changeover.”
Rach says there will be two northbound lanes and one southbound lane open on Brandt Street all winter long.