It was scheduled to open last weekend: now Oconee County says the new roundabout at what had been the intersection of Mars Hill and Malcom Bridge roads won't see its first traffic until tomorrow.
From the Oconee Co government website…
The intersection at Malcom Bridge Road and Mars Hill Road will be paved on Saturday, November 2, and the intersection will begin operating in a roundabout configuration following paving. Intermittent lane closures will occur on Saturday during the paving process. Work on the center island, splitter islands, and final paving will continue after November 2.
Roundabouts have been shown to increase safety while keeping traffic flowing. According to the Federal Highway Administration, benefits of roundabouts include a more than 90% reduction in fatalities and a 76% reduction in injuries. Roundabouts also reduce congestion and pollution.
When navigating a roundabout, vehicles already in the roundabout have the right of way, all traffic proceeds in a counterclockwise direction, and all turns are right turns. Vehicles should not stop while they are in the roundabout.
