By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Construction of two roundabouts is being considered as a long-term solution to reduce traffic congestion in the area around Detroit and Pope Streets in Warsaw.
The city’s traffic commission unveiled six options on Wednesday aimed at improving traffic flow in an area that includes Detroit, Pope and Prairie streets.
The commission is looking at both short-term and long-term solutions that would reduce congestion, in part, by measures that would deter motorists from using the three streets as a shortcut around State Road 15.
Six options were presented to the traffic commission by VS Engineering, Indianapolis
Combined, the roundabouts at Pope and Detroit and Pope and McClellan Street would essentially create an elongated Figure 8.
The roundabouts would roughly cost a combined $4.1 million.
Two other options would rely on right-turn-only street designs and cost either $300,000 or about $160,000.
Intended improvements are also complicated by railroad tracks that cross Pope between Detroit and McClellen.
Public Works Director Dustin Dillon said future decisions will be based on what’s affordable.
City Councilman Michael Klondaris has been studying the issue for years and offered his thoughts, saying there are no easy solutions.
“The conclusion that I’m kind of coming to is that the best long-term alternative at that intersection would be to put in a traffic circle or mini roundabout… that will allow people to go the directions that they want to go,” Klondaris said.
The owners of historic Warsaw Cut Glass also have a keen interest in seeing the intersections upgraded. Linda Kirkendall attended Wednesday’s meeting and said the business wants to see changes that provide better flow and also protect their parking lot, which is adjacent to the corner of Prairie and Detroit.
“Our main concern is we want to see the Cut Glass factory go into the next generation … It’s the only business of its kind in the U.S., so we kind of think it’s important to the area,” Kirkendall said.
Check out a more extensive look at the options in this Times-Union story.
The traffic commission is expected to continue discussions on the mattteree at its next meeting on August 5.
