Emery Sapp & Sons, contractor for the City of Columbia, plans to begin construction of two single-lane roundabouts, expandable to partial dual-lane roundabouts, on Nifong Boulevard beginning April 13, weather permitting. The goal is to have both new roundabouts operational by late summer and fully completed by early fall 2020.
The roundabouts will be constructed at the intersection of Nifong Boulevard and Sinclair Street and at the intersection of Nifong Boulevard/Vawter School Road and Old Mill Creek Road/Country Woods Road. Both intersections are currently 4-way stops.
This Public Works Capital Improvement Program (CIP) project will improve safety, reduce queue lengths and decrease travel times at these increasingly busy intersections. The roundabouts will also be able to accommodate large vehicles such as school buses. A pedestrian safety island with a flashing beacon has already been installed on Nifong Boulevard at Woods Edge Road crosswalk as part of the project. Other safety improvements include new street lighting, 5-foot wide sidewalks, pedestrian safety islands and crosswalks on all sides.
"The current and projected traffic volumes, as determined from our traffic study on the Nifong corridor, makes roundabouts the best solution for these two busy intersections," Public Works Director David Nichols said. "In addition to holding public meetings with local residents and parents, we’ve worked closely with Columbia Public Schools. Roundabouts will be able to better handle traffic flow and increase safety for all modes of transportation."
Roundabouts advance safety for all travelers by reducing fatalities and serious injury collisions through engineering design. More information is available at CoMo.gov/Roundabout-Education.
Closure/Access Details:
Nifong Boulevard and Vawter School Road will remain open in both directions throughout the project with some lane restrictions. Minor delays are possible. Access to Sinclair Street and Country Woods Road to/from Nifong Boulevard will be closed during some phases of construction.
"The two roundabouts are being constructed simultaneously," Public Works Construction Project Superintendent David Fennewald said. "This will shorten the number of days traffic is affected, and is the most efficient approach to completing construction in a timely manner."
Before each phase of construction begins, we will update the website and social media to keep everyone informed.
Nifong Boulevard and Sinclair Street Intersection Phases:
The roundabout at Sinclair Street and Nifong Boulevard will be built in three phases. The first phase will close the south leg of the intersection at Sinclair Street until late summer. Access will be available via Southampton Drive. Phases 2 and 3 will build the north half of the roundabout. Access north of the roundabout will be maintained at all times.
Nifong Boulevard and Old Mill Creek Road Intersection Phases:
The roundabout at Nifong Boulevard/Vawter School Road and Old Mill Creek Road/Country Woods Road will be completed in three phases. In the first phase, the north leg of the intersection, Country Woods Road will be closed until late summer. Access will be available via Woods Edge Road and Old Ridge Road.
Enhanced Safety Measures
Emery Sapp & Sons has educated its workers on enhanced safety measures for field personnel including limiting the size of labor crews, keeping equipment clean, social distancing, wearing gloves and not sharing lunch or water sources, etc.
Public Planning:
The estimated investment for this CIP project is $2,450,000. The funding source is the 2015 Capital Improvement Sales Tax. An interested parties meeting for the project was held June 20, 2017, and the project was approved by City Council Oct. 16, 2017, after a public hearing. Complete details are available at CoMo.gov/PublicWorks/Nifong-Sinclair-OldMillCreek.