Traffic circles coming to Michigan Ave. intersections

Traffic circles coming to Michigan Ave. intersections

Traffic circles are the best way to relieve congestion at at two Foley intersections on Michigan Ave. under plans recently approved by the City Council. Council approved designs for traffic circles at the intersections of East Michigan Ave. and Juniper St. and West Michigan Ave. and Cedar St.
“It was really a no-brainer on the roundabout,” Mayor Ralph Hellmich said. “At Juniper and Michigan, the traffic signal actually escalated the costs ($4 million) so drastically that it really wasn’t a question.”
Cedar Street site will have to be designed around utility lines that run through the intersection and the traffic circles will also allow the city to improve sidewalks in the areas around the intersections.
“This will also include a general upgrade of the sidewalks in all four directions. It’s a comprehensive upgrade at this intersection which is a really big choke point on that street,” Helmich said.
While Foley has some roundabouts in areas such as Pride Drive, some city drivers might not be accustomed to the circles.
“We have traffic circles in Foley however they’re not heavily used,” Hellmich said. “They’re not on main roads. Yes, it will be a learning experience for everybody but I think it will work. The neat thing about traffic circles is you’re pretty much continuously moving whereas stoplights and four-ways you’re not.”