The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

Discussion

March 1, 2010

Carl Junction weighs roundabouts

By Emily Younker

eyounker@joplinglobe.com

CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — City officials are looking at installing roundabouts at five intersections that they say are some of the most heavily traveled in Carl Junction.

A $3,000 agreement up for City Council approval tonight asks Tri-State Engineering Inc., of Joplin, to prepare conceptual plans and probable costs of roundabouts at the following intersections:

n Fir Road and Lone Elm Drive.

n Fir Road and Briarbrook Drive.

n Fir Road and Joplin Street.

n Walnut Street (Route Z) and Route JJ.

n Pennell and North Roney streets.

City Administrator Steve Lawver said the appeal of roundabouts versus traffic signals is their cost. They usually are less expensive to install and maintain than signals, he said.

“A roundabout is something we can maintain ourselves,” he said. “It’s not a problem; we’ve got a street department to take care of that.”

Lawver also said signals typically are a way to control traffic capacity, which doesn’t pertain to Carl Junction.

“Ours is not a capacity problem; it’s a moving-the-traffic problem,” he said. “If a roundabout will allow us to move the traffic efficiently, then it’s a better solution.”

Lawver said the targeted intersections are heavily traveled, particularly during the morning and afternoon rush hours. The Fir Road intersections at Lone Elm Drive and Briarbrook Drive are the main exits out of those subdivisions, he said.

Lawver said the city also would like to address traffic congestion around the schools.

“We have two or three rear-end accidents a year out there during the school year (with vehicles) trying to turn in to the high school, and you’re going to get the same style of accident with a traffic signal because you’re still stopping the traffic,” he said. “A roundabout might be a better way to move traffic through that intersection without having to stop traffic.”

In April 2008, voters approved a $365,000 bond issue for street projects, including improvement of Briarbrook Drive. Lawver said those funds could be used for the roundabouts “or any other transportation needs for the city.”

Councilman Walter Hayes, chairman of the city’s long-range planning committee, could not be reached for comment Monday.

On his personal blog, “Carl Junction Happenings,” Hayes wrote in September that the committee has been charged with creating a comprehensive plan that will anticipate what the city might be like in 20 years. The plan is expected to address what kind of infrastructure Carl Junction might need by prioritizing projects and estimating their costs for budget-planning purposes.

Council members during their meeting tonight are expected to formally approve the contract with Tri-State. Other proposals for the engineering work came from Anderson Engineering Inc., of Joplin, for $7,000, and Allgeier, Martin and Associates Inc., of Joplin, for $8,500.

Text Only
Joplin Metro
  • Ruby-Sapp-obit.jpg Longtime Democrat dies at 81

    Sapp, 81, died Thursday. Funeral services were Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. A longtime Jasper County Democratic committeewoman and volunteer, Sapp for years was secretary to the county’s central committee.

    August 9, 2010 1 Photo

  • Motivational speaker offers free marriage course

    Presented by Mark Gungor, the course is being offered free to the community. The event is being held to aid in tornado relief. 

    January 12, 2012

  • District sends faculty, administrators on site visits

    With the design phase of several buildings in Joplin Schools ending in May, the district has sent 66 administration, faculty, parents and community members on site visits to 22 schools and two technology company headquarters across the country.

    January 11, 2012

  • 011012 Jop HS mural1_72.jpg Mural depicting Joplin High School dedicated

    A four-paneled mural depicting the recent history of Joplin High School was dedicated at the Memorial 9th- and 10th-grade Center Tuesday morning. The mural will be moved to the new high school when it is completed in 2014.

    January 10, 2012 4 Photos

  • Carl Junction chamber creating new committees

    The Carl Junction Chamber of Commerce is kicking off three new committees this week with meetings scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.

    January 9, 2012

  • Body of missing Joplin man found

    The body of a missing Joplin man was discovered this afternoon inside his home in the Royal Heights neighborhood of Joplin.

    January 3, 2012

  • Wildcat Glades nature center receives $50,000 grant

    The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center has received a $50,000 TogetherGreen Innovation Grant, which is being provided through an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota.

    October 21, 2011

  • Joplin shooting victim’s name released

    The Joplin Police Department today released the name of a woman fatally shot in her home early Thursday and acknowledged that the shooting was reported as a suicide attempt.

    October 21, 2011

  • Barry Manilow to deliver donated instruments

    Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow will visit Joplin next week to donate more than $300,000 in musical instruments to replace those lost during the May 22 tornado.

    October 21, 2011

  • Extreme Makeover releases names of families

    "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has released more details about the build in the 2400 block of Connor Avenue, including the names of the seven families. They are:

    October 19, 2011