A roundabout that is part of a $15 million downtown traffic corridor reconfiguration has the potential to solve what has for many years been somewhat of a conundrum to area motorists.
The roundabout would be constructed at the intersections of Third and Fourth streets and Riverfront Parkway, allowing an easier flow of traffic inbound and outbound. It also would provide easier and safer access to outbound Riverfront Parkway.
The project, which also includes the widening of Fourth Street from three to four lanes and the closing of Third Street from Lindsay Street to Mabel Street, has been on the area's Transportation Improvement Plan since 2000.
It's not a done deal yet but could take a step forward next week when the City Council considers a resolution to pay $447,000 for engineering plans, which is about a fourth of what the federal government would kick in for the remainder of engineering costs.
In the end, since the project is on a regional transportation plan, the federal government would pay 80 percent of the tab. The city would have to kick in $3 million.
The roundabout would eliminate the awkward right turn from westbound Third Street onto Lansing Street, which is really just a glorified entrance to Riverfront Parkway, and also would eliminate the snake-like turn from eastbound Third Street onto the same Lansing Street entrance.
Not even considering the planned but controversial extension of Central Avenue beside Lincoln Park, it also offers easier access for emergency vehicles to Erlanger hospital.
The construction would likely be a nightmare for some months but by all rights would yield improved results for all.