After years of safety concerns, the intersection of Braecrest Drive and 18th Street North in Brandon is set for a redesign.
The City of Brandon confirmed a tender has been issued for construction of a new roundabout at the intersection, with work expected to begin next year.
“I’m happy to hear this is finally going through,” said Brandon West MLA Wayne Balcaen.
Balcaen, who has pushed for the redesign for years, said the project is long overdue.
“For three years, this NDP government has done nothing to move it forward. They always talk about how they’ve increased the infrastructure budget, yet we’re not seeing any movement here in Brandon.”
Balcaen said the main concern surrounding the intersection of Braecrest Drive and 18th Street North has been the number of collisions over the years.
City documents from a Braecrest Drive Corridor study detailed 60 reported collisions at the intersection between 2008 and 2017. During that period, 18 people were reported injured, and at least one fatality was recorded.
“We have had dozens and dozens of accidents at that intersection. We’ve had several fatal and serious injury accidents. So it’s important that this gets done,” he said.
The urgency surrounding the redesign comes in part from increasing traffic at the intersection, which connects drivers to Highway 10 north and the Trans-Canada Highway.
Balcaen also pointed to recent development in the area, which has led to more vehicles passing through the intersection each day.
“Over the past three years, there has been significant housing development along the north side of Braecrest Drive, adding to traffic congestion in the area.”
City officials said the project is expected to be fully completed by the spring of 2028.
The project will cost $6 million, with funding split between the city and province.
