City Council To Consider 16th Street SW Roundabout

The Rochester City Council could decide Monday on whether to construct a
“roundabout” at an increasingly busy intersection or install a traditional traffic light system.

The Council is scheduled to take up the issue during Monday afternoon’s committee meeting and possibly vote Monday evening.

The City Public Works Department is recommending the construction of a roundabout for the intersection of 16th street and Mayowood Road Southwest near Apache Mall, but its report to the Council indicates either option would be an acceptable solution for providing traffic control. The report notes the majority of the people attending a public meeting on the issue supported using traffic lights, and indicates staff wants direction from the council on which alternative to use in designing the intersection.

If a roundabout it chosen, it would mark the first time one has been used to upgrade an existing intersection in the city.