KALAMAZOO (WKZO-AM) — A $1.5 million plan to install a roundabout at Gull Road and Harrison Street in Kalamazoo has been put in a holding pattern after strong objections from homeowners who live nearby.
They said some of them are unfamiliar with the circular intersection and how it works, and they also said it doesn’t look safe. Others objected because it was the first they had heard of the plan, which was to start construction in late June.
Homeowner Anthony Lee said a simple traffic light would be fine.
Traffic Engineer Jim Hoekstra said a traffic light will reduce accidents by about 30 percent, but a roundabout is much safer. A small roundabout like this will reduce serious crashes by 70 percent, he said.
The city plans to hold another meeting with the homeowners in a few weeks to address some of the questions they could not answer at Thursday’s meeting.
