Residents of Cambridge condo concerned about traffic issues at busy intersection

The residents of Kressview Springs Condominiums, located at that busy intersection, are urging the City of Cambridge and Region of Waterloo councils to take steps to calm traffic in front of their homes in Preston Heights.

Situated in the middle of two busy regional roads, Fountain St. and King St., getting in and out of their building has proved to be a serious problem.

Right now, turning left out of their parking lot onto King St. means you have to make it across a turning lane, a bus lane, a multi-use path, two through lanes of traffic, and all the oncoming traffic going the opposite way.

“That intersection of King and Fountain, just a wee bit away from Shantz Hill, it is an absolute gong show at the best of times to try and get through there,” said Coun. Corey Kimpson with the City of Cambridge. “That’s a big concern.”

Kimpson added it’s frustrating seeing the situation happening at that junction and not being able to directly help citizens of Cambridge due to King St. and Fountain St. being the responsibility of regional council.

Kimpson said that there was supposed to be a roundabout at that intersection, adding that the feature was proposed to the residents of Kressview, who didn’t want a roundabout at the time.

“Regional staff looked at an alternative and gave us what we have today,” said Kimpson. “Looking at what we know now about how roundabouts work, and they’re not without their issues, with how they keep traffic flowing – would that make it easier for residents to get out of their driveway? Possibly yes.”

Kimpson said she’s urging residents of that busty intersection to keep pushing regional council to make a change to that intersection.

A proposed development at the site of the former Preston Springs Hotel could worsen the traffic issues in the area. That proposal comes back to the City of Cambridge Council chambers on March 19 for further discussion.