Columbia City Council pause vote on proposed roundabout at Fairview and Chapel Hill

UPDATE 6/21/16:The Columbia City Council will put a pause on voting on the proposed roundabout at Fairview and Chapel Hill, discussed at Monday nigh’ts council meeting.

The City says it needs more data on how many cars were backed up at peak times during the day. They also wanted to know staff concluded that the construction of the Nifong widening project would direct more traffic to Chapel Hill/Fairview. Including a comprehensive review of the Fairview/Rollins roundabout.

ABC 17 News was being told that it could take several months until the roundabout is discussed again at the Columbia City Council meeting.

ORIGINAL 6/19/16 : The Columbia City Council will hold a public hearing and is set to vote Monday night on a proposed roundabout at Fairview and Chapel Hill.

Residents who live in that area are expected to pack the chamber Monday night, and testimony will be taken.

The council report notes the Fairview Road and Chapel Hill intersection improvement project was identified to be funded from the one-fourth of one percent sales tax approved by voters in 2015. The report notes the Public Works Department “chose to take a proactive approach” to improve the intersection for both existing and future needs due to the anticipated increase in traffic as the city grows to the south and southwest.

The improvement project would be a single-lane roundabout to accommodate commercial vehicles and school buses.

The proposed design also includes splitter islands and a sidewalk off the back of the curb, and the installation of additional street lighting.

The report notes the budget is about $600,000, and funding will be provided by the capital improvement sales tax.

If the council gives the green light, city officials say construction would begin in the summer of 2017.