HELENA — A proposed roundabout at one of Helena’s busiest intersections could soon change the way drivers get through ‘Mini Malfunction Junction’.
As roundabouts continue to be a hot topic in the community, here is a project update.
(Watch the video below to learn more about where the project stands)
“We put in for a grant for Safe Streets for All for the Mini Malfunction roundabout and the Custer and Henderson roundabout,” David Knoepke, the City of Helena transportation systems director, said.
The city will not set a construction timeline until it learns whether it received the around $8 million grant. They should have that answer by the end of the year.
Changing Mini Malfunction Junction into a roundabout has been in the works for a while. A 2012 study identified a roundabout as the best option for the five-way intersection, then in 2014, a long-range transportation plan also recommended a roundabout for the intersection. Again, the city’s 2021 five-point intersection study found Mini Malfunction Junction should be turned into a roundabout.
“Studies have shown that coming into roundabouts slows people down,” Knoepke added.
That will improve traffic flow and safety for drivers and pedestrians.
“In the roundabout case, you are only needing to look one way because traffic is only coming from one direction,” Knoepke said. “You are only having to cross one lane of traffic before you get to the splitter island, and then you look to make sure there is no traffic coming.”
Additionally, some people are curious how the roundabout would impact street sweeper and snow plow operations.
“Operations really don’t change. We would start at the center, just like we work at the center line for plowing. We plow from the center to the edge with the roundabout,” Knoepke said.
So why a roundabout? Well, they require less maintenance than signalized intersections, and they keep traffic flowing more smoothly.
“Roundabouts are an efficient way to move all modes of transportation and I think if built that we would have that we would have a public education campaign to help folks understand,” Knoepke said.
