Winona Reviews Roundabout Feasibility Study For Kings Highway, Argonne Road
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
The purpose of making a roundabout is to alleviate traffic congestion, improve pedestrian safety and connect the Winona Lake and Warsaw trail system, according to Craig Allebach, town coordinator.
The council approved a feasibility and traffic study to be conducted at the intersection at its March meeting.
Allebach said the council would still need to consider the financial aspect of the project before it approves a roundabout.
Allebach said it is the town's goal to improve the intersection by improving pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion, vehicle pollution and improving sight distance.
A roundabout would be a 30-foot wide circular roadway for vehicles to navigate the intersection.
The center island provides an opportunity for decorative landscaping to enhance the visual appeal of the intersection.
A pedestrian crosswalk is proposed to cross Winona Avenue approximately 110 feet west of the intersection.
To help facilitate pedestrian movement, it is proposed to construct a curb-faced walk along the north side of Winona Avenue to provide safe travel from the Lake City Greenway in Winona Lake along Park Avenue to the existing sidewalk located along South McKinley Street.
A&Z Engineering officials said this would provide a continuous pedestrian pathway from Warsaw to Winona Lake.
It also is proposed to provide a grass buffer strip along the northwest and southwest areas of the intersection to improve pedestrian safety as well as enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the roundabout.
During Tuesday night's council meeting, Jamal Anabtawi, owner and director for business development of A&Z Engineering, Fort Wayne, presented a traffic study the company conducted at the intersection.
The purpose of the study was to determine if it was feasible to locate a roundabout at the location.
Anabtawi said it is recommended that the current signalized intersection be modified and reconstructed as a roundabout-type intersection.
He said the roundabouts have benefits including being safer than signalized intersections with accidents usually occurring at lower speeds, reducing waiting time for drivers and allowing for landscaping, monuments and other aesthetic uses within the center island.
He said the estimated time to complete a roundabout would be three to four months.
A & Z Engineering conducted a traffic study on May 19 at the Kings Highway/Winona Avenue and Argonne Road/Park Avenue intersections.
The afternoon peak travel hours, observed from 4 to 6 p.m. had the highest volume of traffic of 1,584 vehicles per hour from 5 to 6 p.m. at the intersection.
Based on traffic volumes, capacity and projected traffic volumes it was determined that a single lane roundabout would be ideal for the intersection.
A recommendation regarding pedestrian safety is to examine extending the pedestrian trail on the south side of Winona Avenue. It has been identified that a popular destination for those traveling the current trail along Park Avenue is the YMCA, located on East Smith Street west along Winona Avenue.
Many pedestrians continue walking or bicycling on the street along Winona Avenue to reach the destination.
During the roundabout design phase, it is recommended to examine the possible alternatives in facilitating pedestrian movement from Kings Highway/Argonne Road intersection to the Kosciusko Community YMCA.
In other business the council:
n Approved town engineer Larry Long seeking quotes to resurface Pierceton Road from CR 250E to Packerton Road.
n Approved five additional parking spaces being created at the Winona Lake Lodge in Winona Lake Park and three parking spaces being created behind the town hall for town employees.
n Approved the town purchasing an air conditioner for the street department from Howie Heating & Cooling for $5,295.
Events in the town include Masterworks Festival now through Saturday, and a Winona Lake Garden Walk Saturday, Events on July 31 include a Duck & Run 5K at 7 a.m. and Duck Race in the canal at 11 a.m., Village At Winona Arts Walk Aug. 13 and the Antique Car Festival Aug. 21.[[In-content Ad]]
The purpose of making a roundabout is to alleviate traffic congestion, improve pedestrian safety and connect the Winona Lake and Warsaw trail system, according to Craig Allebach, town coordinator.
The council approved a feasibility and traffic study to be conducted at the intersection at its March meeting.
Allebach said the council would still need to consider the financial aspect of the project before it approves a roundabout.
Allebach said it is the town's goal to improve the intersection by improving pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion, vehicle pollution and improving sight distance.
A roundabout would be a 30-foot wide circular roadway for vehicles to navigate the intersection.
The center island provides an opportunity for decorative landscaping to enhance the visual appeal of the intersection.
A pedestrian crosswalk is proposed to cross Winona Avenue approximately 110 feet west of the intersection.
To help facilitate pedestrian movement, it is proposed to construct a curb-faced walk along the north side of Winona Avenue to provide safe travel from the Lake City Greenway in Winona Lake along Park Avenue to the existing sidewalk located along South McKinley Street.
A&Z Engineering officials said this would provide a continuous pedestrian pathway from Warsaw to Winona Lake.
It also is proposed to provide a grass buffer strip along the northwest and southwest areas of the intersection to improve pedestrian safety as well as enhance the overall aesthetic appeal of the roundabout.
During Tuesday night's council meeting, Jamal Anabtawi, owner and director for business development of A&Z Engineering, Fort Wayne, presented a traffic study the company conducted at the intersection.
The purpose of the study was to determine if it was feasible to locate a roundabout at the location.
Anabtawi said it is recommended that the current signalized intersection be modified and reconstructed as a roundabout-type intersection.
He said the roundabouts have benefits including being safer than signalized intersections with accidents usually occurring at lower speeds, reducing waiting time for drivers and allowing for landscaping, monuments and other aesthetic uses within the center island.
He said the estimated time to complete a roundabout would be three to four months.
A & Z Engineering conducted a traffic study on May 19 at the Kings Highway/Winona Avenue and Argonne Road/Park Avenue intersections.
The afternoon peak travel hours, observed from 4 to 6 p.m. had the highest volume of traffic of 1,584 vehicles per hour from 5 to 6 p.m. at the intersection.
Based on traffic volumes, capacity and projected traffic volumes it was determined that a single lane roundabout would be ideal for the intersection.
A recommendation regarding pedestrian safety is to examine extending the pedestrian trail on the south side of Winona Avenue. It has been identified that a popular destination for those traveling the current trail along Park Avenue is the YMCA, located on East Smith Street west along Winona Avenue.
Many pedestrians continue walking or bicycling on the street along Winona Avenue to reach the destination.
During the roundabout design phase, it is recommended to examine the possible alternatives in facilitating pedestrian movement from Kings Highway/Argonne Road intersection to the Kosciusko Community YMCA.
In other business the council:
n Approved town engineer Larry Long seeking quotes to resurface Pierceton Road from CR 250E to Packerton Road.
n Approved five additional parking spaces being created at the Winona Lake Lodge in Winona Lake Park and three parking spaces being created behind the town hall for town employees.
n Approved the town purchasing an air conditioner for the street department from Howie Heating & Cooling for $5,295.
Events in the town include Masterworks Festival now through Saturday, and a Winona Lake Garden Walk Saturday, Events on July 31 include a Duck & Run 5K at 7 a.m. and Duck Race in the canal at 11 a.m., Village At Winona Arts Walk Aug. 13 and the Antique Car Festival Aug. 21.[[In-content Ad]]
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