Construction on a roundabout at the intersection of Highway 17 and Jolly Drive in Monticello will begin soon. It will make the intersection safer, especially when school is in session. The circle will be similar to the one pictured above that was built in 2017 at the Intersection of Highway 27 and Lee Avenue in Crystal Springs. The Crystal Springs intersection consisted of a two-way stop and had been the site of several tragic accidents through the years. There have been no fatalities at the intersection since the roundabout was constructed.
A highway project that has been on the drawing board for about a year will begin in the next couple of weeks and will provide a safer crossing for a dangerous intersection.
The intersection at Highway 27 and Jolly Drive in Monticello has been the site of numerous serious accidents since the highway bypass was built in the late 1990s. A roundabout will be constructed at the intersection that will slow traffic but keep it rolling at a safer speed and improve traffic flow in the area.
Very few roads crossing major highways are granted a 4-way stop or other traffic control devices, and some of those intersections are more prone to accidents than others. One solution that has been implemented by highway departments and municipalities in recent years is the roundabout. The setup adds additional safety because of slower speeds, while keeping everyone moving. The two-way stop for those crossing the highway will be removed and everyone entering the roundabout will be required to yield to traffic already in the circle.
The scope of work for the project also involves overlaying approximately 8 miles of State Route 27 from Dewey Ballard Road to just north of U.S. 84. The $5.3 million project was awarded to Walters Construction Inc., of Laurel, and is anticipated to be completed this winter.
