Construction probably wouldn't start this year since the city has not lined up enough funding to cover the approximate $1.1-million price tag. The city has about $625,000 in federal funds available, in addition to $15,000 from the state Transportation Department City Safety grant. The city is still looking for about a half-million dollars and according to city Engineer Eric Shjarback, that money could come from a source later in the year.
The City Council on Monday night got a preview of the plans for the roundabout and a look at what Shjarback calls a conceptual drawing, shown here. “We have a long way to go. We’re at the beginning of this project right now,” he told the Council.
He said the intersection is the meeting point for four zones: residential, industrial, commercial and commercial marine, adding, "You get all sorts of different kind of traffic." He said that on a safety scale, the 22nd St. & R Ave. intersection "is close to failing." He said he avoids it whenever he can.
Using illustrations, Shjarback said that if the city were to install a traffic light, the number of what he called "conflict point" would increase, while a roundabout offers far fewer "conflict points."