2008 Woodie Awards
City begins construction on roundabout
Officials expect completion by August
Catie Cuellar
Issue date: 7/4/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
City Manager Kevin Brunner says the city plans to construct a roundabout on the eastside of Whitewater near the site of a future shopping center.
A roundabout is a circular roadway aimed at allowing a stream of vehicles to navigate around a central island.
"There are a lot of benefits," says Brunner.
The roundabout will lower traffic speeds and improve safety in the Bluff Road area because it provides fewer points of collision than a four-point intersection, according to officials.
It will also be flexible for future business additions in the region. The construction will take about 400 feet of Clay Street, 500 feet of Elkhorn Road and 1,500 feet of Bluff Road.
According to a report by the city, the idea of a roundabout came after a local developer proposed the development of the East Towne Market on the former Marine Pro property. The decision called for a traffic study of the area and in the end the redevelopment of Bluff Road.
Local business owners voiced their concerns about loss of business during the construction and its effects on traffic before finalization of the project.
The council said the impact on businesses would be limited.
"Businesses will still see the same traffic," said Brunner.
Brunner is confident of the limited disruption because the city plans to build a temporary road around the site. The temporary road would be coordinated by the East Towne developers and the city.
"It is important to our businesses," said Brunner of the temporary road. "That is why we are doing this."
The road will make it easier for the community to travel back and forth across town during the construction.
"It will only be there about three or four months and then it will be gone," Brunner said of the temporary road.
During the first stages of the roundabout construction, the intersection at Elkhorn Road and Clay Street will be closed.
The traffic on Highway 59 and Business 12 will be rerouted along the bypass to Janesville, Whitewater and Main streets.
During stage two the rest of Bluff Road will be under construction, but Howard Road can unofficially be used as an alternative route for residents.
Completion of the roundabout is expected for the end of summer.
A roundabout is a circular roadway aimed at allowing a stream of vehicles to navigate around a central island.
"There are a lot of benefits," says Brunner.
The roundabout will lower traffic speeds and improve safety in the Bluff Road area because it provides fewer points of collision than a four-point intersection, according to officials.
It will also be flexible for future business additions in the region. The construction will take about 400 feet of Clay Street, 500 feet of Elkhorn Road and 1,500 feet of Bluff Road.
According to a report by the city, the idea of a roundabout came after a local developer proposed the development of the East Towne Market on the former Marine Pro property. The decision called for a traffic study of the area and in the end the redevelopment of Bluff Road.
Local business owners voiced their concerns about loss of business during the construction and its effects on traffic before finalization of the project.
The council said the impact on businesses would be limited.
"Businesses will still see the same traffic," said Brunner.
Brunner is confident of the limited disruption because the city plans to build a temporary road around the site. The temporary road would be coordinated by the East Towne developers and the city.
"It is important to our businesses," said Brunner of the temporary road. "That is why we are doing this."
The road will make it easier for the community to travel back and forth across town during the construction.
"It will only be there about three or four months and then it will be gone," Brunner said of the temporary road.
During the first stages of the roundabout construction, the intersection at Elkhorn Road and Clay Street will be closed.
The traffic on Highway 59 and Business 12 will be rerouted along the bypass to Janesville, Whitewater and Main streets.
During stage two the rest of Bluff Road will be under construction, but Howard Road can unofficially be used as an alternative route for residents.
Completion of the roundabout is expected for the end of summer.
Be the first to comment on this story