City council plans meeting for controversial roundabout

The Columbia City Council is expected to set a date for a public hearing meeting about a controversial roundabout.

The intersection of Chapel Hill and Fairview is currently rated an F according to Columbia Public Works. They say adding a roundabout could raise that to a B rating.

Fourth Ward Councilman Ian Thomas has said a majority of the residents he’s spoken with do not support the roundabout. Thomas has told ABC 17 News he’s not sure if the traffic congestion in the area is enough to warrant the $600,000.

Opponents to the roundabout say they don’t think it will be a safe installment. Many people said roundabouts pose a danger to pedestrians since cars may not be slowing as much as they would at a spot sign. One nearby resident says the roundabout will also interview with parents dropping off their children at the daycare.

Our news crews dug through some of the public comments about the proposed roundabout on the city’s website. Of the 40 comments posted, only a handful were in support of the roundabout.

At Monday’s meeting, the council is expected to set a public hearing date for June.