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'); //--> The News-Press: Growth/Development - Council OKs roundabout idea - April 26, 2005

Fort Myers drivers could soon be navigating circular intersections, a traffic-pattern change city leaders hope will ease congestion and slow speeders while beautifying the roads.

City council members Monday supported moving ahead with a planned roundabout at the intersection of West First Street and Altamont Avenue. If successful, it could start a new trend in the City of Palms. Leaders already are studying whether such a change is necessary at McGregor Boulevard and Virginia Avenue.

"I'm hoping this roundabout will be the start of a series of roundabouts in the city," Councilman Mike Flanders said. "I think people will want more."

A roundabout is a circular intersection in which entering traffic yields to the circling vehicles.

Roundabouts, however, are not always the most efficient option. The city's traffic consultant, HNTB Corporation, found drivers will be slightly delayed using roundabouts compared to traffic light-controlled intersections.

But elected leaders said they prefer the circular intersections to the lights. They hope the roundabouts will slow traffic, especially on McGregor Boulevard, and look better.

They recognize the change could challenge some drivers of large vehicles, though.

"I drive an RV. Anything straight is OK with me," Councilman LeVon Simms said. "But aesthetically, I like it."

While elected leaders gave unanimous support to the West First Street/Altamont Avenue roundabout Monday, the deal is not done. The city's engineers first need to make sure it will fit.

The right-away space is tight, especially on the northeast corner that is the 2180 W. First St. site of an office building. An aerial photograph suggests the roundabout would clip the corner of the building, but city engineers say the angle of the picture is deceiving and believe the roundabout will fit.

They could shift the intersection slightly, but leaders seemed hesitant about such a move. If the survey finds the roundabout will not fit without moving the intersection, staff will bring the design back to council members.

They could OK the shifted design or decide to go with the traffic signal.

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