Community Engagement Equity, Diversity and Inclusion News Flash

Testing new safety features for Region of Waterloo roundabouts

Sep 3, 2025

Testing new safety features for Region of Waterloo roundabouts

We have about 40 roundabouts – and counting! – on Regional roads. That makes the Region of Waterloo a leader in Canada for this type of intersection.

Our first multi-lane roundabout was built more than 20 years ago, at Erb Street and Ira Needles Boulevard in Waterloo. It was the first multi-lane roundabout ever built in Ontario.

Roundabouts provide a number of safety benefits to the community. For example, they virtually eliminate high-speed and head-on collisions. With some thoughtful design, they can be a great tool to help pedestrians and cyclists move safely and comfortably. Under certain circumstances, roundabouts can also save time for drivers.

We’ve learned a lot about roundabouts over the past decades, says Mike Henderson, the Region’s Transportation Services Director. And we continue to make improvements, like the new pilot project that begins in fall 2025.

Learn more on the Region’s roundabouts webpage.

Pedestrian safety project begins

This summer, we’ve been working on changes at three busy roundabouts to test new pedestrian safety measures. Roundabouts have a good safety record, but some people feel less safe at these crossings, especially people with disabilities or those who find it hard to cross quickly. This project will explore new ways to help people feel more safe using crosswalks, and help drivers more easily see pedestrians.

Three options will be explored at three locations for one year. Each pilot location will also include improved lighting and curb and storm sewer upgrades for better drainage.

Starting in September, you’ll see new safety features at these locations:

1. Homer Watson Boulevard and Block Line Road:

  • Safety feature: raised crosswalks
  • Construction date: July 14 to early October 2025

2. Franklin Boulevard and Bishop Street North

  • Safety feature: flashing lights
  • Construction date: August 13 to mid October 2025

3. Erb Street West and Ira Needles Boulevard/Erbsville Road

  • Safety feature: flashing lights and raised crosswalks
  • Construction date: August 14 to mid October 2025

Two-way traffic and pedestrian access will continue throughout construction.

We have already begun collecting data at these three locations and will continue during the one-year pilot. A final report will go to Regional Council in 2026 with recommendations about whether crosswalk improvements should be added to new or existing roundabouts.

Explore the details of this pilot project on our EngageWR page. You can also tell us what you think of these changes, starting later in September.

Learn more on “Your Region Pod”

In the latest episode of Your Region Pod, we chat with people on the street about their experience with roundabouts and learn more from Mike Henderson about what the Region is doing to try to ensure that everyone can benefit from them – including cars, trucks, and people walking and rolling.

We also hear from University of Waterloo professor Jeff Casello about how roundabouts work and what makes them safer.

Haven’t tuned in before? Your Region Pod is a podcast where we talk about the services you use everyday across the Region of Waterloo, and give you a peek behind the scenes. We have 26 episodes to date!

Episodes come every month, and cover issues and services that matter to you. Subscribe and download from wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts:

P.S. We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think of our podcast, and what other topics you would like us to cover. Let us know through the Region of Waterloo’s social media accounts.