Roundup of the roundabouts

Driving through eastern Idaho lately, you’ve probably run into construction to put roundabouts everywhere you turn.

“They’re the safest intersection control that you could put at these locations, lower accident rates, less severe accidents, its a low speed movement through and it also improves safety of bikes and pedestrians compared to what was there,” said Michael Arneson the project manager for Lincoln Rd.

Starting Monday, there will be even more construction that will cause some delays around town. The Ammon Rd. and Lincoln Rd. intersection will be closed for construction.

Roundabouts are starting to pop up around the county.

“We are seeing more because of that great safety record and the fact that they handle traffic all day long,” said Kent Fugal, an engineer for the City of Idaho Falls.

Engineers say that they studied what works best for these corridors. They found that these the locations performed better with roundabouts.

“They’re going to offer longer service life, higher quality traffic flow and lower maintenance costs,” Arneson said.

Engineers hope to have these projects wrapped up soon.

“We’d actually like to get it done this month,” Fugal said. “It’s what we’re shooting for to have that completed.”
“This is considered the first phase of Lincoln Rd.,” Arenson says. “That’ll wrap up here in October or November, there will be a little work next summer.”

Counties even hope to add even more to the roundabout routes in the near future.

“The county will go ahead and do the next mile between Ammon and out to Crowley,” adds Arenson. “There will be another intersection put in at Lincoln and Crowley.”

Bonneville County is also looking to build a roundabout over by Thunder Ridge High School at 45th and First intersection.

Starting on Sept. 24, the intersection on Ammon Rd. and Lincoln Rd. will be closed for about nine or 10 days according to Arenson.

Drivers are advised to plan ahead and be prepared for traffic delays.