Date:

June 26, 2002

For More Information Contact:

Diane Gonzolas, Citizen Information Center, 441-7831
Allan Abbott, Public Works and Utilities, 441-7566
Virendra Singh, Public Works and Utilities, 441-7835

Mayor Don Wesely today announced that the new roundabout at 33rd Street and Sheridan Boulevard will open at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 26. The roundabout is one of the first of its kind in Nebraska. It replaces an accident prone four-way intersection of two arterial streets, controlled by a traffic signal.

"The priority is to make this intersection safer for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists," said Mayor Wesely. "The state-of-the-art roundabout was built through the combined efforts of city and state government staff, the Country Club Neighborhood and HWS Consulting Group. This has been a model public involvement process, and I thank everyone who worked on this important project."

From 1996 through 1998, 54 accidents were reported at the intersection, resulting in more than $983,000 in damages. In the city’s list of high accident intersections, 33rd and Sheridan ranked first in 1998 and fifth in 2000. Because of the safety factor, the city received $200,000 in Federal Highway Administration safety funds in November 1999 to implement the project. The city cost is about $150,000.

"A conservative evaluation indicates that for every $1 spent on this project, we could potentially save $25 in accident costs," said Allan Abbott, Director of the City Public Works and Utilities Department. "We encourage everyone to try the roundabout to see how simple and safe it is."

Motorists using the roundabout should follow these procedures:

• Do not enter the roundabout until there is a safe and acceptable gap in traffic.
• At the entry point, always yield to traffic approaching from the left.
• Always yield to pedestrians and cyclists in a crosswalk.
• Always travel in a counter-clockwise direction.
• Turn right to go left, and follow the circular path.
• Drive slowly - the suggested speed is 15 mph.
• Follow all directional signs and pavement markings.