Columbia engineers discuss proposed roundabout

Columbia public works engineers heard from residents about a proposed roundabout that would replace the four-way stop at Green Meadows Road and Forum Boulevard.

The open house was at Ann Hawkins Gentry Middle School on Thursday.

“The architects have done a pretty good job laying this out. I don’t think it’s perfect yet, but I think it’s a real good start and I think it will be quite an improvement,” said Jay Tennyson who lives near the intersection.

It would be the first multi-lane roundabout built by Columbia. Engineers said they’re using a multi-lane roundabout because of the intersection’s high traffic volume.

Currently, the plans for the roundabout would cut off the corner of a day care’s property and two residential properties.

Engineers said roundabouts can reduce traffic crashes by as much as 75 percent.

“With a roundabout, you actually change your direction and it forces you to slow down. It eliminates 90-degree impacts, so it greatly reduces the severity of collisions as well,” said Sam Budzyna, engineer with Columbia Public Works.

Columbia public works will take the comments from residents and present them to the City Council.

If the City Council votes to build the roundabout, construction would start in 2017 and would take about three to four months.