Despite some handwringing from some residents over them, two roundabouts along Old 30 west of Warsaw will be open to the public starting next week. Kosciusko County Administrator Ron Robinson and County Commissioner Ron Truex spoke Thursday about how the roundabouts came to be and lauded their safety. The federal money for the project came in the 1990s when the county passed its Western Corridor project. At that time, the goal was to build a bypass for Warsaw to alleviate traffic in town. After some renovations on Ind. 15, the state would not acquiesce with the project. “We would not get cooperation from the state on the Western Corridor Project,” said Truex. “But we found that the intersections of Fox Farm and Zimmer at Old 30 were determined (by federal standards) to be deficient.” So the money was then moved over to fund two roundabouts at those intersections. “Roundabouts are far and away the most economical and safest way to go,” said Truex. Truex said that while there might be some fender benders, roundabouts drastically cut down on the number of fatal accidents as compared to intersections with sharp turns and stoplights. In 2009, roundabouts were put in sections around Ann Arbor, Mich. Statistics from the Southwest Michigan Council of Governments showed that accidents along those roads with roundabouts dropped by 40 percent. The Troyer Group out of Mishawaka gave a report to the county commissioners about the design parameters of both roundabouts. The report stated that the entry speed going into the roundabouts averaged between 24 and 25 miles per hour. Circulation speed in the roundabout is between 18 and 19 miles per hour. Both Robinson and Truex said the roundabouts would have signage to guide drivers where to go. They also will be lighted at night, and when the roundabouts first open a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Dept. deputy will be on scene. “Once people get used to it, which will be fairly quickly, they’ll see how easy they are to navigate,” said Truex. “Follow the signs, go the right speed and it will go smoothly,” said Truex. The commissioner also said that driver safety was a paramount concern of the county. Truex said with more and more traffic coming in and out of the City-County Athletic Complex, it was important to improve Old 30. One misconception of the new roundabouts is that trucks won’t be able to navigate through them. Truex and Robinson talked to a company whose truck used the roundabouts while they weren’t open and was able to negotiate those problems without an issue. “The owner was worried that his trucks couldn’t get through, but afterward he said he saw no problems with them,” said Truex. Roundabouts are a fairly common thing to see in larger cities, and Robinson went to Carmel where one section of road has five roundabouts. “They also are sustainable for 20 years,” said Robinson. By sustainability, Robinson means that if both Fox Farm Road and Zimmer Road intersections stayed as they were, their grade would worsen as more and more traffic would go on them as time passed. With roundabouts, they will be able to handle an increased traffic flow, 20 years out. These single-land roundabouts have been designed for multiple entry. Truex said that once they open, those who used to have to try and get onto Old 30 from the Fox Farm Road intersection will appreciate the roundabout. Phend and Brown out of Milford was awarded the contract and began construction early this summer. Weather and a labor strike throw the project off schedule. Crews have worked six days a week to make up for the lost time. This caused a strain on local businesses located on that section of Old 30. Both Truex and Robinson encouraged people to stop out at those businesses. “Those local businesses have been so cooperative,” said Truex. “We really hope people come out and show their support for them.” Truex was also thankful for a smooth and easy working relationship with the city of Warsaw. The project straddles the city and county line. Truex also lauded the aesthetic quality of the roundabouts. “It will be a great way to show off Warsaw. It’s a grand way for people coming in from the west on Old 30 to first see Warsaw,” said Truex. Crews still needed to lay asphalt, lines and signage before the roundabouts opened.
