A new roundabout is planned this fall at the Fairview and Peterman roads intersection in northern White River Township is planned.
The roundabout is estimated to cost $1.04 million, with 80% to be paid by a federal grant. The actual cost will be determined when the project goes to bid in July, said Luke Mastin, county highway director.
The Johnson County Council this month OK’d $233,000 for the county’s 20% match, plus 20% of construction inspection costs for the project, and OK’d about $100,000 for the federal portion of the construction inspections, which will be reimbursed when federal funds arrive.
The council also OK’d $125,000 in right of way acquisition costs for the project.
The roundabout is planned to relieve congestion at the intersection, especially during rush hour, when traffic piles up at the current four-way stop, Mastin said.
The project was planned before the final route for Interstate 69 was established by the Indiana Department of Transportation, but is even more vital now as Fairview Road will merge with the northern access road, he said.
The new roundabout will be one-lane and look similar to the roundabout installed next to Pleasant View Elementary at the Fairview and Morgantown roads intersection. That roundabout has worked wonders to increase traffic flow, Mastin said.
“Anyone who lives in this area who suffered through waiting at the four-way stop at Morgantown Road and Fairview will see the need for this roundabout,” he said.
There is some work underway to prepare for I-69 in the area, but the roundabout construction won’t conflict with that, Mastin said.
Construction is expected to begin around Labor Day and take about two months, weather permitting, he said.
