Roundabout
Montgomery to remake perilous intersection, but not before 2024.
WASHINGTON TWP. — Officials hope a roundabout coming to Alex-Bell and Mad River roads in Washington Twp. improves safety at one of the county’s most dangerous intersections, and at a lower cost than a new traffic light.
The intersection to receive a roundabout, which won’t see construction begin for about six years, is a four-way stop through which about 9,000 motorists cross on each road daily. It also is one of the top crash locations in Montgomery County, according to Paul Gruner, Montgomery County engineer.
Gruner’s office has been working for more than a year on the best solution — a traffic light or roundabout — to address the congestion and safety issues at the intersection.
Studies have shown that roundabouts are safer than traditional stop sign- or signal-controlled intersections. Roundabouts reduced injury crashes by 75 percent at intersections where stop signs or signals were previously used for traffic control, according to a May 2018 study by the Insurance Institute for High-
way Safety.
Unlike at intersections with traffic signals, drivers don’t have to wait for a green light at a roundabout to get through. Traffic is not required to stop — only yield — so the intersection can handle more traffic in the same amount of time.
The topic was the focus of a June public hearing. About 100 people submitted written comments, and several others spoke at the meeting.
The majority of attendees wanted something to be done, but they were split between a traffic signal and roundabout, according to the engineer’s office.
Those who live in neighborhoods adjacent to the intersection heavily favored a roundabout, which Gruner said are cheaper than traffic signals.
“Roundabouts have been built in many areas in Ohio and are working well, including in the nearby counties of Warren and Butler,” he said. “The engineer’s office is confident that ... Montgomery County will see the same excellent results.”
Butler County Engineer Greg Wilkens told this news organization this summer that roundabouts are a safe option.
“The number and severity of accidents have been substantially reduced where our roundabouts have been installed, so they are doing their job,” Wilkens said.
He added that there are many reasons why Butler County traffic engineers identify a roundabout to be a good solution to a problematic intersection. While not necessarily the answer for every intersection, a roundabout may be determined to be the least costly and most effective solution at certain locations due to the roundabout’s smaller footprint, which requires less land. Turn lanes can require more land acquisition, and ongoing operation of signals can drive up costs.
Montgomery County will apply for federal funding to design the project, acquire rights of way, pursue construction and conduct an environmental review. The earliest construction is likely to happen is 2024.