Roundabouts for Georgia

CAUTION Macon

	CAUTION Macon Macon-Bibb.com Macon, Georgia Return to Roundabouts
	Warner-Robins Roundabouts Peach Blossom Rd. @ Sandy Springs Dr.


	Construction on first Warner Robins roundabout to begin Published: September 4, 2013 http://www.macon.com/2013/09/04/2645606/construction-on-first-warner-robins.html By CHRISTINA M. WRIGHT chwright@macon.com WARNER ROBINS -- Drivers will be diverted from portions of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard beginning next week, as the city starts construction on its first traffic circle. Traffic will be diverted from the intersection of Wellborn Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard on Monday, when construction on the first of two roundabouts will begin, according to a news release from the city. Detour signs will be posted. The first roundabout is set to be completed by March 2014. Construction on the second circle, at University and Martin Luther King Jr. boulevards, is set to start immediately after the first is complete and be finished by September 2014. City Engineer Walter Gray was not available Wednesday to discuss the details of the project. He has said the roundabouts were proposed for a low-traffic area to give Warner Robins residents time to become familiar with the multilegged ring that at first may send even the most adept city slicker in frustrating circles. It’s a project that has been talked about since before 2001, when it was included in a special purpose local option sales tax. The original plan for the funds was just to revitalize Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard with lighting and sidewalks. The roundabouts were added later. “We gave our word to the citizens that this would be done with SPLOST dollars,” said Councilman Daron Lee, who has pushed for the project to be completed. Chief Financial Officer Bill Harte said $704,000 was budgeted for the whole project. The contract for the roundabouts cost $289,000. Several factors have delayed the project over the years. First there were the plans, then there was acquiring the rights to land needed, and lately, rainy weather has set back the start date. To contact writer Christina M. Wright, call 256-9685 view in larger map at Google

	COMMENTS: jamalz This won't be the first one in W.R. There is one down off Peach Blossom Rd. @ Sandy Springs Dr. Sharon Darnell . . so at an estimate $285,000 for a round about in a low traffic area . . . what does a "Stop SIGN" or a RED Light cost????? ...

Warner Robins to get first roundabouts

Published: March 26, 2012
http://www.macon.com/2012/03/26/1963751/warner-robins-to-get-first-roundabouts.html

By CHRISTINA M. WRIGHT chwright@macon.com

WARNER ROBINS -- The small city of Warner Robins will soon have big city roundabouts, as officials plan for the circled streets as part of the revitalization of the City Hall area.

“It shows that we are being (innovative) with our road projects, so we can move traffic on and off the (Robins Air Force) Base,” Mayor Chuck Shaheen wrote in an e-mail.

Two roundabouts, to be constructed along Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, will include sidewalks and curbing along the short street that runs between Ga. 247 and South Davis Drive behind Macon State College. The first will be placed at University Drive and the other at Wellborn Road.

City Engineer Walter Gray said the roundabouts will have three legs and be placed in a low-traffic area.

“We’re doing it simple on purpose to get people used to them,” Gray said, adding he’s certain residents will become accustomed to roundabouts, and the city may later add others.

Estimates for the roundabouts total $729,000. An alternative plan for the roundabout at University Drive to include a road leading to Sacred Heart Catholic Church would cost an additional $66,000.

Gray said the church has not yet been approached with the idea, as the city is waiting to first gain traction in the right-of-way acquisition process.

City Attorney Jim Elliott said he is working with representatives of four entities that own property in the area to obtain the needed right-of-ways.

He said he hopes the process will be complete by the end of spring. A date has not been scheduled for the roundabouts’ opening.

City Councilman Daron Lee, whose district included the area until the lines were redrawn last year, said the revitalization of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard has been in the works for years, and the roundabouts were recently added to the plan.

“It’s part of projects to really beautify that area of town from the base to North Davis Drive,” he said.

To contact writer Christina M. Wright, call 256-9685

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CAUTION Macon