Roundabouts coming to Marion County

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Marion County is about to join a growing list of counties building roundabouts. The county plans to build six of them in the next two years.

Everyday, thousands of people drive around Monument Circle to get in and out of downtown. Soon the "Circle" won't be the only circle in town.

"It's a good idea; I don't look forward to the construction of it," said Tom Corey of Indianapolis.

Wednesday, the Department of Public Works announced plans to build six roundabouts from 2013 to 2014 at congested intersections.

Two will be built on German Church Road; one at 46th Street and one at 42nd Street.

Three roundabouts will go on the southeast side of the city. Two will be constructed on Edgewood Avenue, and a third will be located on Five Points Road.

"It's currently a four way stop intersection; a lot of traffic there during the rush hours. Typical to see cars back up at that intersection," said DPW Spokeswoman Kara Brooks with DPW.

Another one of those congested intersections is at 91st Street and Spring Mill Road. During rush hour, traffic is bumper-to-bumper at the four way stop.

"At those times, it's hard for us to get out of our driveway," said Patty Goodman of Indianapolis.

Goodman lives along Spring Mill Road between a Carmel roundabout and a four way stop slated for one. She welcomes the roundabouts with open arms, but not the speed that comes with them.

"I've got a concern that it may make the traffic flow a little bit faster, but who knows,” Goodman said.

Bill Mugavin has lived in Carmel for 5 years. He said the roundabouts took some getting use to, but he likes them.

"The first roundabout I flew out the wrong end of it, but I think they are a lot more efficient than the stop signs," Mugavin said.

The city of Indianapolis agrees.

"Through traffic studies we found that roundabouts will help ease traffic, reduce crashes, reduce air pollution, but most importantly, improve safety," Brooks said.

Federal money and local grants will pay for the construction of the roundabouts.

Before construction even starts, city officials want to make sure people know how to use these roundabouts. They plan to hold a series of meetings to talk about signage and how to share the road.

The first meeting is scheduled for Thursday September 20th, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus on German Church Road.

The other informational meetings are listed below:

Pike and Washington townships:
Monday, September 24 from 4 to 6 p.m.: Nora Branch Library, 8625 Guilford Ave.

Perry and Franklin townships:
Wednesday, September 26 from 4 to 6 p.m.: Franklin Road Branch Library, 5550 S. Franklin Road

Center Township:
Monday, October 1 from 4 to 6 p.m.: The Athenaeum, Damenverein Room, 401 E. Michigan St.

Wayne and Decatur townships:
Tuesday, October 2 from 4 to 6 p.m.: Decatur Branch Library, 5301 Kentucky Ave.

To learn more about roundabouts being installed in Indianapolis, please visit www.indy.gov/roundabout .