Roundabout readied for city?

HURON — Get ready for, possibly, a pair of major traffic changes at a popular area along a busy corridor. Ohio Department of Transportation officials and Huron city council members tentatively agreed to two major changes on U.S. 6 near Huron High School. Among the proposals: • Install a roundabout just east of Huron Memorial Stadium • Close Jim Campbell Boulevard at Center Street, which eliminates one entry at this confusing five-way crossing; Under this proposal, the street will dead end, but traffic there can access this roundabout. • Remove the traffic light at Center Street • Extend Huron's bike path down Jim Campbell Boulevard, thus connecting the Lake Shore Electric Railway Trail to the city's bike lane Before any changes occur, however, community members can express their opinions during at least two yet-to-be-scheduled public hearings. Officials should announce dates for these public meetings in the near future. "It's the right time to talk about this," Huron city manager Matt Lasko said. "While we are exploring this, there will still be a robust public process." Regarding some other details: • Timeline: If the plan proceeds, then Lasko believes construction could start in 2025 and finish no later than 2026. • Cost: Totaling $2.5 million, Huron secured $1 million through the state and Erie County's regional planning office. The project's balance, an additional $1.5 million, "would be paid through local capital improvement funds," Lasko said. • Goals: Lasko noted the proposed roundabout aims to accomplish three outcomes: — "It allows us to significantly slow down traffic coming into town from the west." — "It allows us to address a very dangerous intersection at Center Street, which currently operates as a five-way stop, which will be a more traditional four-way stop, which is similar to all of the other intersections along U.S. 6 in town." — "It will create a more beautiful gateway into town from the west, but, simultaneously, will allow us to make the final bicycle path connection from the Lake Shore Electric (Railway) Trail to the existing bike path on U.S. 6." More roundabouts on U.S. 6 On a related note, this singular roundabout project relates to but stands separate from a $24.5 million initiative for improvements on U.S. 6 from Huron's western edge to Sandusky's east end. More specifically, the funds call for extending the Sandusky Bay Pathway and replacing five intersections with roundabouts. This would include a crossing at East Perkins Avenue where it slopes by Osborn MetroPark by The Maples Motel. Officials believe all work could end by 2025.