The roundabout way

The Marion City Council appears close to deciding whether to launch a major redevelopment project in the city's central corridor. The plan has drawn both intense support and opposition.

Opponents are on board with much of the proposal. The biggest objection: Most oppose the proposed roundabout intersection at 15th Street, saying one of its purposes, to divert through traffic to a revamped, extended Sixth Avenue, would hurt some existing businesses along Seventh Avenue.

Supporters, including city planners, say the roundabout is a key to reducing congestion and accidents along Seventh Avenue, which funnels commuters in and out of the metro area. They also say it's important to the project's other main goal: enhanced development along the entire corridor from downtown to 31st Street.

Clearly, the corridor plan is a big hunk of change for many people to chew. Some 50 businesses along Seventh Avenue worry about their viability.

However, a roundabout's effects drivers and pedestrians shouldn't be a roadblock in this discussion.

These intersections are proving their touted benefits and are becoming more common in the United States - including Iowa. At least a dozen roundabouts operate in this state, most in metro or suburban areas. Cedar Rapids has none but is seeking state money for two roundabouts. Coralville leads the state with four installed since 2002. The modern roundabout's design has been improved from initial adaptations of European traffic circles that weren't well received along the East Coast. While they aren't the right choice for every busy intersection - for example, one that's heavily used by large trucks - the record shows many benefits:

l Insurance Institute for Highway Safety studies indicate that roundabouts, compared to conventional stoplight intersections, reduce fatal crashes by 90 percent, total injury crashes by 76 percent, pedestrian injuries by 30 percent and bicycle crashes by 10 percent.

l Traffic is delayed less often because drivers must stop only when there is a vehicle to which to yield.

l Maintenance costs are lower. Traffic signals require electricity 24 hours a day and there's more equipment to maintain. Roundabouts generally need electricity only for streetlights at night.

l Less stop-and-go traffic reduces idling, which means less pollution.

The city council must decide whether the corridor plan on the table is good for Marion's long-term future and growth and also minimizes damage to businesses and residents directly affected. Certainly, it's a decision not without some risk.

However, opponents and supporters alike should understand that a well-designed roundabout in itself is nothing to fear.