Public meeting Jan. 22 for new roundabout at intersection of Geddes and Ridge roads

The meeting will begin 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Superior Township Hall, which is at 3040 N. Prospect Road in Ypsilanti. There will be a brief presentation followed by an open discussion.

The intersection is currently a four-way stop. Traffic there has increased this fall as a result of the opening of the new South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy at the intersection, said Matt MacDonell, senior project manager for the Road Commission.

Construction of the $1.1 million single lane roundabout is slated to begin in June and finish in August as to not interrupt school traffic, MacDonell said. Work will completely close the intersection while it is being completed, MacDonell said.

The project also includes the removal and replacement of the Ridge Road culvert over Fowler Creek, which is just south of the intersection.

The project will be paid for cooperatively by the school and by the Road Commission, and has not yet been put out to bid.

A roundabout is smaller in diameter than a traditional traffic circle and forces vehicles to travel at speeds between 15 and 20 miles per hour.

There is currently a roundabout on Geddes Road at the intersection of Superior Road.

The project will be the second roundabout constructed in Washtenaw County in 2013, as the Road Commission is planning to build a roundabout at State and Ellsworth roads in Pittsfield Township.

View Washtenaw County Road Commission work in a larger map

Amy Biolchini covers Washtenaw County, health and environmental issues for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at (734) 623-2552, amybiolchini@annarbor.com or on Twitter.