ROUNDABOUT

In addition to an increase in truck traffic, the intersection in question has seen an uptick in vehicle accidents as well. The county hired consulting firm GHD, Inc. to study the alternatives for the intersection. Engineer Russ Wenham gave a presentation to supervisors in September and said that all three options would improve safety.

A traffic signal, Wenham said, would improve safety by approximately 25 percent and be the most cost-efficient option at around $5 million to construct. A roundabout would improve safety by twice that amount but could also cost up to $12 million to complete. Lastly, an inter

change is the safest option, likely to improve safety by approximately 75 percent, he said, but it would be the costliest at up to $40 million.

Thursday’s open house is intended for the public to review the proposed changes and provide feedback about the project. Conant said officials are open to all options, though he has his own concerns about a potential roundabout.

“I’m not sold on it yet because I’m not sure how it would work for big trucks. Maybe a standard 48-foot trailer would work, but what about bigger trucks with 15 axles, will they still be able to make that turn? The road wouldn’t be much bigger than it is now, and I just can’t see that working with other vehicles us

ing the road,” Conant said. “I don’t know what the answer is, because we already have too many stoplights along that roadway through Yuba City. It’s going to be pretty costly no matter how you slice it.”

The decision ultimately comes down to the California Department of Transportation. Sutter County officials will gather feedback from the public and make a recommendation to Caltrans.

The county, GHD and Caltrans will have representatives at this week’s open house to answer the public’s questions. Thursday’s open house will be from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the Sutter County Veteran’s Hall – 1425 Veteran’s Memorial Circle, Yuba City.