Roundabout routed to city

SANDUSKY — They're no longer circling around the issue — but, according to their plans, motorists will. During a recent public meeting, Sandusky officials finalized a contract to begin designing a roundabout at the intersection of Cleveland Road (U.S. 6) and Cedar Point Drive by Thirsty Pony. It represented a necessary step to proceed with this plan. Those representing Erie County's government first introduced the idea this past summer but still needed formal approval from city commissioners before construction could occur, which should happen in 2024. Dating back to 2018, local government officials analyzed the area, collaborated on safety-related solutions and successfully received $5.1 million in state grant money for major improvements, namely a roundabout. Local taxpayers did spend about $13,000 for a study on this area, "basically confirming the roundabout design as 'best' for this instance," a city memo read. They shouldn't contribute any more money toward this project. The overall project scope also involves: • Extending turn lanes where Cleveland Road intersects with Remington Avenue and Sycamore Line (U.S. 250) • Removing signals where Cleveland Road intersects with Cowdery Street and Avondale Street along with where Milan Road crosses at Frontage Road C • Other miscellaneous safety and signage improvements "The improvements are aimed at increasing efficiency, enhancing safety and improving multimodal transportation options," county project engineer Carrie Whitaker said. "Advancing the study's recommendations will enhance our area's transportation network for all its users." On a related note, the roundabout is a related but separate component to possibly enhance a 6-mile stretch on U.S. 6 between Sycamore Line in Sandusky and Rye Beach Road in Huron. Officials from Sandusky, Erie County and other political subdivisions seek $30 million from the state to pursue various enhancements, which include several roundabouts along this stretch. Reasons for a roundabout Often found at busy and/or dangerous intersections, a roundabout incorporates a circular junction — instead of stoplights or stop signs — to manage traffic flow. After yielding, vehicles enter the roundabout and continue around it at slower speeds, counterclockwise, until exiting, onto a street, toward their destination. If accidents occur in roundabouts, comparatively to traditional intersections, studies show they're less severe than T-bone collisions, which generally occur at greater speeds. While many community members remain skeptical about roundabouts — the only other one in Erie County can be found at Bogart Road and Campbell Street in Perkins Township — assistant city engineer Josh Snyder gave people three reasons why he and others advocated for it: 1. "As traffic patterns have changed over the last 20 years, mainly attributed to the advent of real-time mobile mapping and routing: • More traffic is coming from east of Cedar Point Drive than what traditionally came from U.S. 250. • Most traffic from the east is utilizing Rye Beach (Road), and most traffic from the west is utilizing either Hayes (Avenue) or Venice (Road). • The amount of seasonal traffic on U.S. 250 has decreased significantly. This being the case, the current geometry and traffic control configuration cannot efficiently or safely handle the volume of traffic from the east nor will it in the forecasted future traffic counts." 2. "The roundabout was modeled by two separate consultants under two separate, independent traffic analyses versus the existing signalized intersection setup. And even with adding an additional westbound right-turning lane and signal timing changes, the roundabout option was still more efficient and safer. Both objectives are met with this project and are goals of the city, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the subsequent grant received." 3. "This was modeled by two separate traffic engineering consulting firms and both came up with the same conclusion."