5 options to be presented at Forum and Green Meadows improvement meeting

The City of Columbia’s Pubic Works Department will hold a public meeting Tuesday on proposed improvements to the intersection of Green Meadows and Forum Boulevard.

The city previously identified the area as one that needs improvement due to safety and traffic congestion concerns.

In September, a public hearing was held on a proposed roundabout for the intersection. There was some strong opposition, so engineers have since developed four other possible concepts.

The five concept plans being presented at the meeting include a roundabout, a full signal, a reduced signal, J turn and J turn with pedestrian signal. Here’s a breakdown of each concept:

Roundabout:

pedestrian crossings and splitter islands installed crosswalks set back from intersection left turn movement eliminated bikers can ride in roundabout, since traffic will be slower total estimated cost: $1,166,500

Full signal:

add right and left turns lanes at each corner of intersection duel lanes on Forum bike lanes at each corner of intersection islands at each corner of intersection for pedestrians total estimated cost: $914,700

Reduced signal:

right turn lane on east corner of Green Meadows reduced in length right tune lane and pedestrian island at preschool removed bike lanes at each corner of intersection total estimated cost: $868,900

J Turn:

eliminates Green Meadows left turns drivers will have to make a U-turn farther down Forum left turns still allowed off Forum Scottson Way made into cul-de-sac no pedestrian crossings bike lanes along Forum total estimated cost: $1,208, 200

J Turn with pedestrian signal:

eliminates left turns from both Green Meadows and Forum drivers will have to make a U-turn farther down Forum crosswalk and pedestrian signs included bike lanes along Forum Scottson Way made into cul-de-sac total estimated cost: $1,248,700

The project will be funded through the 2015 Capital Improvement Sales Tax. Here is a link a map of each concept. Here is a project fact sheet from the City of Columbia.