Cedar Falls council rejects roundabout concept for 6th, Main street intersection

They didn’t wish to see the traffic signal there replaced with a roundabout.

The City Council convened for a special meeting Monday to reconsider that proposition as part of the larger $30 million plan to reconstruct the thoroughfare and ended up rejecting the possibility.

On a voice vote, the only councilor seemingly to disagree with keeping the traffic signal after nearly an hour-long session was Daryl Kruse. Other councilors said those property representatives who spoke played a role in their decision.

“A traffic-signal directed intersection will allow (our) accessibility, flow, lot size and sign location to remain at its current peak convenience,” said Lexie Heath, business development officer at Farmers State Bank.

It was the second time in the last year a roundabout had been considered, but the conversation ended the same way – with not enough support. The latest conversation came as part of a referral by Kruse, with councilors Dustin Ganfield, Dave Sires and Gil Schultz backing the reintroduction of the discussion on the item.

The entire project last month came at a price that was 40% over what had been estimated. It includes replacing signals with roundabouts at 12th and 18th streets as well as Seerley Boulevard. Construction is slated to begin this spring.

The council received input from Heath as well as Susan Whitson, chief executive officer at First Bank, and Kelly Stern, director of the Cedar Falls Public Library, the leaders of the other organizations with buildings at that intersection.

“I can see both sides, and I’ve thought about it a lot,” said Councilor Simon Harding. “Believe or not, to me, I just don’t think it’s worth changing.”

Harding made the motion to continue with what had been previously approved. He also read aloud a letter from an unnamed Casey’s representative about why the convenience store preferred a traffic signal over the roundabout. Kruse previously contended he talked with a company executive who preferred the roundabout.

On Monday, the council considered a roundabout with three or four “legs” — the exits/entrances to the circular lane.

The section of Sixth Street to the east, between Main and State streets, would have been closed to Main Street traffic if the governing body had elected to go with three legs.

“I see the three-legged roundabout as having the reduced construction cost, which then would help offset the redesign cost,” said Kruse.

The councilor also suggested the right-of-way acquisition and other “one-time costs” are worth it because of the “more optimal function” of a roundabout. He noted that the road design includes ongoing savings. One reason is traffic signal maintenance being eliminated.

“I think it’s a good investment,” he added.

Neither bank representative supported the proposition of being unable to turn left out of their properties as result of the roundabout design.

First Bank had further concerns about accessing its property if Sixth Street was closed because of the three-legged roundabout, while the library objected to the likely loss of three to five parking spots.

But Kruse provided other arguments in support of his proposition like that Iowa Northern Railway Company’s plans to remove the railroad train tracks through town may lead to more parking spaces.

Prior to voting, Aaron Moniza, an engineer with project designer Foth Engineering, provided information he said had been shared in previous sessions.

He explained how a signalized intersection will have a smaller footprint than a roundabout and minimal impacts to right of way, but also highlighted the benefits of a roundabout. It would allow for better traffic flow as well as other benefits, like less exhaust being emitted by idling cars.

At this point, though, a redesign could impact the timeline and increase the cost because the project already had been awarded.

Bob Manning, resident and executive officer of the Cedar Valley Home Builders Association, was slightly critical of how the council went about its decision on the roundabout.

“This appears to be a waste of taxpayer money,” said Manning. “And that’s why I’m disappointed in the council in bringing this up – as The Courier referred to it – in the 11th hour. I think this is the 11th-and-a-half hour, folks, and that’s not responsible governing.”