IDOT to build roundabout at intersection of Routes 13 and 154

The Pinckneyville City Council agreed to move forward on two projects and heard from the Illinois Department of Transportation District 9 about a third upcoming project that will change the face of Pinckneyville.

Commissioner Sam Fulk received permission to proceed with a $350,000 project to install decorative lighting and a clock on the square.

The engineering on the project will cost $50,000. Business district funds will be used for the project, which Fulk deemed "phase one."

The second phase would be to extend the decorative lighting east on Water Street to the high school.

Commissioner Leonard Heisner said the business district fund has a current balance of $800,000.

The council agreed to bid the soccer park project in its entirety then choose which parts are affordable and which aren't. So far, engineering cost estimates of $400,000 to $440,000 for the city's share have been seen. Engineer Louis Curl will be asked to attach alternate bids on some items such as parking lots of different sizes so the council may then choose how they wish to proceed.

The council has said several times they hope to limit the project to $800,000.

Pinckneyville received a 50/50 matching grant for project and has set aside $400,000 in TIF funds for their half. The city will have to pay the full cost of the construction and be reimbursed for half the cost up to $400,000.

Carrie Nelson, representing IDOT, said that the state will build a roundabout at the intersection of Routes 13 and 154 on the west side of Pinckneyville in the summer of 2015. There will be no cost for the city, but the city will need to sign an agreement to maintain the sidewalks and side-roads modified and/or built during the project.

The entrance to the public housing facility facing Water Street will be moved so it does not open directly into the roundabout.

The purpose of the roundabout is to slow traffic heading in to Pinckneyville and simultaneously provide extra room for over-sized vehicles such as buses, semis and farm equipment. There is a modular home manufacturer near the intersection which will be able to more easily transport their product, Nelson said.

The intersection is also used by semis and other large vehicles.

Roundabouts reduce the possibility of major collisions as traffic travels at about 20 mph in a counter-clockwise direction. T-bone and head-on collisions are eliminated.

The lanes are 18 feet wide with a 27-foot truck apron around a 35-foot circle which will have landscaping rock and maybe some other low-profile, decorative plantings to be determined later. Nelson said the truck apron is usually painted red, but since Pinckneyville prefers blue, she may be able to use a different color paint.

Nelson said IDOT is also willing to work with the city to match the in the roundabout to lighting going on the square.

The roundabout will be located near the proposed soccer park.