By Nicole Walton
Marquette, MI – The Michigan Department of Transportation is giving residents a chance to look at plans for the Upper Peninsula's first roundabout. The traffic circle will replace the current intersection of US-41 and Front Street in Marquette. An alternative to intersections, a roundabout allows for a continuous flow of traffic. Motorists yield, then pull behind other vehicles in the roundabout and exit in the appropriate lane. MDOT traffic engineer Aaron Johnson says the roundabout will be safer than the current intersection, because there are no right-angle accidents. He says any accidents that do occur will likely be low-speed side-swiping or fender-benders.
MDOT will hold a public meeting to talk about the benefits and use of modern roundabouts. It takes place Tuesday, 3/31, at 5:30 p.m. at the Marquette Citizens Forum at Lakeview Arena.