ROGERS -- What appeared on the agenda as a routine request to place a roundabout near downtown turned out to be anything but routine Tuesday.
Aldermen rejected a request from the Planning Department for a $35,000 contract with RTE to design the roundabout at the intersection of Olive and Second streets.
At A Glance
Council Action
Rogers’ City Council met Tuesday and approved:
• Setting the property tax rate to be collected in 2015
• Created a position at the animal shelter and removing a code officer position
• A $977,796 contract with NEC for sidewalk improvement downtown. The money will come from a Community Development Block Grant and bond funds
• A $979,000 contract with Benchmark Construction for build the concession stands, restrooms, and a maintenance building at the Rogers Soccer Complex
• A $420,000 contract with Musco Sports Lighting for field lights at the Rogers Soccer Complex
• A $207,250 contract with Hill Electric to wire the Rogers Soccer Complex
• Buying a vacant lot for $20,000. The lot is at the intersection of Fourth and Olrich streets
Members of the transportation committee didn't think a roundabout at that intersection was necessary.
"I guess I'll be the bad guy. I use that intersection several times a day, and I don't think a roundabout is needed, said Gary Townzen, alderman.
"I don't think there is a need to change anything at the intersection," he added.
Lance Jobe, a city engineer, explained a recent traffic study indicated there should be a traffic signal or a roundabout.
"We chose to go with a roundabout for several reasons," Jobe said.
A roundabout keeps traffic moving whereas a signal stops traffic. The roundabout could be used as a gateway to downtown, they are less costly to maintain than traffic signals and a roundabout fits with some of the plans Gateway Planning is preparing for downtown, Jobe said.
"There are safety reasons as well. Roundabouts are safer for drivers and pedestrians," Jobe added.
Mark Kruger, alderman and chairman of the transportation committee, said he was also concerned about the cost of a roundabout.
"Second Street is also a state highway which means we would have to get approval from the state for a roundabout. I don't know for sure but it could make the roundabout more expensive to build if we have to meet state standards," Kruger said.
Kruger said he could support a traffic signal.
"At some point we may want to build a roundabout at that intersection, but I don't think we need one there at this time," Kruger added.
Townzen made a motion to approve the contract for the roundabout, but it died for lack of a second. The item came to the council with a "not pass" recommendation.
When the item came before the full council, Betsy Reithemeyer, alderwoman, wanted to know why the committee rejected the request.
Kruger explained what happened in the committee meeting. Jobe was given the opportunity to explain why he thought a roundabout was a better solution than a traffic signal.
When aldermen voted to approve the design contract, Reithemeyer was the only positive vote. Kruger, Townzen, Clay Kendall, Buddy Wright, Andrew Hatfield, Bob Goodwin and Marge Wolf cast nay votes.
Randy Ort, spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Highways and Transportation, said Tuesday the state was aware Rogers was considering some roundabouts but wasn't sure if the state was aware of this particular location.
The proposed roundabout could help traffic flow, but Ort adds he's not sure exactly how the traffic device would be built.
"It hard to know, just looking at a map if the city has enough room to build a roundabout that would accommodate tractor-trailer rigs that use the truck route," Ort said.
The state would probably approve a roundabout at that location, Ort said, if it meets the turn radius needed for large trucks and the design indicates the roundabout would improve traffic flow at the intersection.
"We have approved several roundabouts in Conway on state highways. If the design meets all state specification I don't see a problem," Ort added.
NW News on 09/24/2014