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The newly constructed one-lane roundabout at the intersection of West Spencer Field Road, South Spencer Field Road, and Giddens Lane, along with all roads closed during construction, will reopen to traffic at Noon (12 p.m.) on Friday, July 31. Crews are completing temporary pavement striping; pavement must cure for a couple of weeks before permanent thermoplastic striping is applied.
Work included relocating all utilities in and around the intersection, removing the existing roadway, performing extensive dirt work to rebuild the roadway base, installing driveway tie-ins and drainage inlets, and constructing the roundabout with curbing, medians, and sidewalk connections.
"We're excited to reopen this intersection and get everyone moving again," said Commissioner Bobby Burkett, District 1. "This roundabout is an investment in the future of our community that will make travel through this area safer and more efficient. Thank you to everyone for their patience as we worked to make these improvements."
The new roundabout was designed to improve safety while keeping traffic moving more efficiently. Here's how roundabouts help achieve both:
- Fewer and safer conflict points: In a roundabout, all vehicles travel in the same direction and merge instead of crossing paths. This reduces the number of places where crashes can happen and helps traffic flow more smoothly.
- Less stopping and idling: Traffic lights make drivers stop even when no other cars are coming. Roundabouts allow drivers to slow down, yield, and enter when it is safe, keeping traffic moving more consistently throughout the day.
- Slower but steady speeds: Roundabouts slow traffic down while keeping vehicles moving. This steady flow makes it easier and safer for drivers to enter the intersection.
- Fewer serious crashes: Crashes in roundabouts are usually less severe and happen at lower speeds. This means less congestion compared to more serious crashes that can occur at signalized intersections.
The intersection has been closed since mid-January to allow crews to complete the work safely and efficiently. With construction now complete, drivers can once again travel through the intersection while benefiting from a safer design and improved traffic flow for years to come. For more information on how to use a roundabout, watch the Florida Department of Transportation roundabout safety video online.
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