Development News

Ann Arbor prepares for more roundabouts at Geddes/U.S. 23

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

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Government, Redevelopment, Transportation, Transportation

Ann Arbor

Work is about to begin in earnest on the roundabouts for the Geddes Road exit for U.S. 23 on the east side of Ann Arbor.

Construction crews should begin building the three roundabouts in April and wrap up work in October. This project will bring the number of roundabouts in or being considered for Washtenaw County to 10, including seven in the city. The city is also looking at adding another one to the intersection of Fuller Road and Maiden Lane next to the University of Michigan Hospital.

"Certainly the city is considering adding more to its jurisdiction," says David Dykman, project manager for the city of Ann Arbor.

The Geddes Road exit plans call for three roundabouts that will replace traffic lights at the on/off-ramps for the exit and the intersection of Geddes and Earhart Road.

Roundabouts, a.k.a. traffic circles, are seen as the most cost-effective way to improve flow and relieve congestion at the intersection without expanding it. The project is also looking at improving the intersection by providing places for pedestrian and bicyclists, while also improving drainage, lighting, utilities and landscaping in the area.

Roundabouts have been popping up like dandelions around Ann Arbor in recent years. A pair of them were installed at the Maple Road exit for M-14 to accommodate increased traffic from nearby Skyline High School. Another is at the intersection of Nixon Road and Huron Parkway.

Modern roundabouts include a central island to guide the vehicular traffic and splitter islands at each leg of an intersection. One-way traffic moves around the central island where entering traffic must yield to the traffic already in the roundabout.

Traffic circles slow and calm traffic, resulting in fewer accidents. They also decrease delays and cut down on the number of idling vehicles, reducing air pollution.

They are common throughout Europe and have been appearing more frequently in North America in recent years. More common on the coasts, roundabouts and traffic circles have been popping up in southeast Michigan's suburbs in recent years.

Source: David Dykman, project manager for the city of Ann Arbor
Writer: Jon Zemke