Othello is set to witness the construction of two new roundabouts in 2025. These projects are expected to have a significant impact on the local traffic and infrastructure. One roundabout will be located on State Route 17, affecting travelers who might otherwise bypass the city. Another roundabout is planned at the intersection of SR 17 and Cunningham Road - Main Street, which was originally scheduled for this year but has been pushed back to 2025.

Key Features and Benefits

The roundabout at the intersection of SR 17 and Cunningham Road will be a compact design with lower curbs and without the mound of rocks in the center. This design is suitable for heavy traffic and large trucks that frequently pass through the area. It will have a fully mountable truck apron to ensure smooth passage for these vehicles.The roundabout on State Route 26 and South First Avenue will cost approximately $3.8 million and is expected to take about 55 working days or three months to complete. During construction, drivers should be prepared for delays as one-lane traffic with temporary signals will be in place. Traffic on city and county roads will be detoured to ensure the safety of construction workers and motorists.The SR 17 roundabout project has a total cost of about $7.1 million and is projected to take about 59 working days. Crews will start with pavement repair using flaggers and then control traffic with a temporary signal at the intersection. At the end of the construction, the roundabout will be open but not striped, and the striping will be done at night.

Impact on Traffic

Once the roundabouts are completed, drivers will be able to cross SR 26 from South First Avenue to State Route 24 (South Broadway Avenue in Othello) without the need for a detour via Columbia Street. Currently, this intersection requires a detour, but with the new roundabout, left turns from SR 26 to SR 24 will be allowed.For the SR 17 roundabout, it will improve traffic flow and safety at the intersection. Travelers will no longer have to navigate through complex traffic patterns and will have a more efficient way to move through the area.

Funding and Scheduling

The choice of improvements at South First Avenue was influenced by funding. This particular roundabout is a compact design and does not require right of way to build, which made it eligible for funding.Department of Transportation officials are working hard to schedule the projects to minimize the overlap between them. They have included early incentives for the contractor to complete the work as quickly as possible and avoid any delays. However, the construction dates are still to be determined, and it is up in the air at the moment.In conclusion, these new roundabouts in Othello are an important step in improving the local traffic and infrastructure. While the timelines may be uncertain, the projects are expected to bring significant benefits to the community once completed.