Two huge roundabouts coming to major intersections in Columbus

If you thought roundabouts were already ubiquitous in Columbus, get ready for even more in the coming years.

Columbus Council recently passed a resolution supporting the Georgia Department of Transportation’s plans to construct two new roundabouts — one at the intersection of Spur 22 and Lynch Road/Technology Parkway and the other at Spur 22 and Macon Road.

If constructed, the two circular intersections would be by far the biggest roundabouts in the city, said City Engineering Director Donna Newman, who presented conceptual drawings.

According to the plans approved by Council, GDOT would construct and design the two roundabouts. After construction, the city would be responsible for the maintenance and energy costs related to lighting and maintenance of landscaping.

Newman said the project could take a minimum of three to five years to design and begin construction.

“The City originally requested a traffic signal at Spur 22 at Macon Road in order to redirect trucks currently traveling up Flat Rock Road to this intersection to help with congestion,” according to background information included in the resolution. “GDOT would not approve a signal due to it not meeting warrants. Staff then requested GDOT consider a roundabout as was recommended in a traffic study conducted by the City.”

While conducting a state review of the corridor for traffic efficiency and safety improvements, it was determined that there was a high crash rate at the Spur 22/Lynch Road/Technology Parkway intersection that is already signalized, according to city officials.

“Making changes to the signal would not improve the safety at that location,” the document reads. “Thus, it was determined a roundabout would operate more efficient and be safer than the signal.”

Before voting for the resolution, Councilor Gary Allen said there are some neighbors concerned about the proposed roundabouts and RCUTs, another traffic design being installed along the corridor. Newman said there will be a public hearing held April 9, 6 to 7 p.m., Psalmond Road Recreation Center, 6506 Psalmond Road.

Currently, Columbus has 13 roundabouts at various locations throughout the city, and others in the pipeline.

In addition to the two recently approved by Council, the city also recently embarked on two other roundabout projects at the intersections of River Road and Bradley Park Drive and Fort Benning and Cusseta Road. Officials said those two projects are currently out for bid.

Newman said roundabouts came about an alternative to traffic signals, which aren’t always the safest option.

“At a signal or a standard intersection you get a lot of T-bones,” she said. “.... That’s where you get the fatalities, head-on collisions.

“With a roundabout most of the accidents are at angles and the speeds are a lot less,” she added. “Generally, the injuries are less in those kind of accidents.”

This story was originally published April 2, 2018 at 5:06 PM with the headline "Two huge roundabouts coming to major intersections in Columbus."