Greenwood opens part of new roundabout

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) — City leaders called it a “major milestone to help alleviate traffic and improve safety for downtown motorists and pedestrians.” 

The first phase of one of central Indiana’s newest roundabouts opened Tuesday night. It’s at Madison Avenue and Smith Valley Road. Construction began in June. It was expected to cost around $2.8 million, with federal funds covering 80 percent of the cost and the remaining 20 percent from the city. 

In a Facebook post earlier Tuesday, the city said, “With the upcoming reopening of Smith Valley, please remember you will NO LONGER be able to turn north on to US 31 from eastbound Smith Valley. You will use the new jug-handle loop.” 

The city has created animation to show where vehicles will go as a result of the new roundabout. 

Major changes include:

• No left turns onto U.S. 31 from Smith Valley Road.
• Motorists connecting to U.S. 31 will either use the new “jug-handle loop” for eastbound traffic or the new roundabout for westbound traffic.
• Left turns onto Smith Valley will continue.

The goal, City Engineer Daniel Johnston said in a statement, is to “reduce traffic delays, back-ups and increase safety for this heavily trafficked intersection.”

The second phase of construction will begin immediately after completion of the first phase and includes the closure of access to Meridian Street for at least 30 days.