Roundabouts coming to LaGrange

LaGRANGE – Soon, LaGrange residents will be going around in circles at what officials hope will be significantly safer intersections thanks to new roundabouts scheduled to be installed on the west side of town.

New electric poles were placed at the intersection of Broad Street and Country Club Drive – near Waverley Way and Panther Way – this week in preparation for the construction of the Broad Street roundabout that is expected to start this spring.

LaGrange City Council approved the project last year in hopes of improving public safety at the problematic intersection by eliminating crossing conflicts.

“It is not a particularly safe intersection, and it is one where quite honestly, a lot of people don’t even obey the traffic control devices that are there now, so we are turning that into a roundabout,” said Mayor Jim Thornton during a speech at the Rotary Club on Wednesday.

But that intersection won’t be the only roundabout in town for long, thanks to the recently approved bid for a contractor for the Vernon Woods Connector that officials hope will improve public safety response times in that area.

“This week the city awarded the contract for the Vernon Woods connector which will connect (WellStar) West Georgia Medical Center, right there at Medical Drive through the land donated through the Callaway Family to Country Club Road, and where that road intersects Country Club. For safety reasons, there will be another roundabout constructed right there, so that people don’t have to make dangerous left turns,” said Thornton. “The great thing about roundabouts is you never have to make a left turn. Left hand turns are where most of your accidents occur.”

According to Thornton, the original estimates on the Vernon Woods connector were for roughly $4.5 million, and the Callaway Foundation gave a $2 million of the funds needed for the project through a grant. The original estimate would have left the county to pay $2.5 million out of county SPLOST funds, but when the final bids on the project came in, local officials received a positive surprise.

“The lowest responsive bid came in at $2.8 million,” said Thornton. “Consequently, that road is only going to cost taxpayers $800,000.”

Thornton admitted that most roads and improvements would not come at such a low price, but with a long list of other road projects in the works – including the proposed re-alignment of Bull Street – being able to put those funds towards future projects is a positive for taxpayers.

Reach Alicia B. Hill at alicia.hill@lagrangenews.com or at 706-884-7311, Ext. 2154.

 

 

News

PHOTOS: LaGrange College Graduation

News

Sweetland announces final concert drop

News

DASH and First Presbyterian Church partner in daycare initiative

News

Troup Alumni host barbecue for Teacher Appreciation Week

News

Holmes Pharmacy: A Legacy of Care and Commitment

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – John Tures: The Often-Underappreciated Value Of Mothers

News

Isabell Kelly named Lafayette Christian School Valedictorian

News

New Library Director always knew she was a librarian at heart

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Jason Swindle: Karma

News

Inmate taken to hospital after being found unresponsive in Troup County Jail

News

UPDATE: GBI confirms arrest of county employee

News

Non-profit to host produce giveaway for seniors on Saturday

News

Former county employee charged with felony theft

News

New Horizons Theatre celebrates another successful season

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Loran Smith: Susan Holmes

News

West Point cuts the ribbon on Scott Candle Co.

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Dean Collins: Easier Said Than Done

News

LaGrange-Callaway Airport could see interruptions during asphalt refurb

News

Troup County Sheriff’s Office arrest reports for period ending May 8

News

Storybook characters come to life in ‘Enchanted Bookstore’

News

Shots fired at Miami Street home

News

Art Pharmacy Partners with Wellstar Health System for Innovative Health and Wellness Program

News

County approves next step in potential Pyne Road Park development

News

CONTRIBUTOR’S VIEW – Hal Brady: Whatever Happened to Respect?