NICE, Calif. – Preliminary work on a roundabout near the Northshore town of Nice is under way.
The roundabout will be built at the intersection of Highway 20 and the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff, just west of Nice.
Granite Construction received a $2.6 million contract to build the roundabout, according to Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie.
Frisbie said the total project cost – including purchase of additional property for right-of-way – is $4.6 million.
In 2007 Caltrans identified the need for an update to the intersection to increase its safety, Frisbie said.
“At that point we realized we needed to do something,” Frisbie said.
He added, “A major issue there was the collision rate.”
The intersection’s historic collision rate was five times higher than the statewide average for similar intersections, according to Caltrans.
When addressing safety issues at intersections, Frisbie said Caltrans usually considers traffic signs and roundabouts.
“The roundabout was the best option for this intersection,” he said.
Caltrans anticipates the intersection’s new roundabout will reduce the number and severity of collisions.
Another goal is to slow traffic, especially eastbound traffic entering Nice, Frisbie said.
The agency also said the roundabout will lower vehicle emissions by lessening idle times compared to a traffic signal.
Other associated improvements will include sidewalks, enhanced drainage and median islands that will allow pedestrians to cross the highway, Caltrans reported.
Frisbie said the preliminary project work is taking place now, which has included the clearing of some nearby trees.
He said it won’t be until the middle of April that construction work impacting traffic will begin.
Once under way, the project should move quickly, he said.
“We’re expecting it to be completed by this winter,” said Frisbie.
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