In the early period of my news blog, I kept hearing about this new intersection design during Fishers Town Council meetings.  It was called the Michigan Left, and was planned for the intersection of 96th Street and Allisonville Road.

I looked at the plans and saw the Michigan Left, at least as it was designed at that time, just did away with traditional left turns and replaced it with u-turns controlled by traffic signals.  The town council members and town staff at that time emphasized the need for a public education program, so people knew how to navigate an intersection design rarely seen in this area.

The intersection opened with the Michigan Left in April of 2013.  I was new at blogging and using video, so I tried something I had never done before…placed my cell phone in a stationary position in my car and drove the Michigan Left (although all the construction wasn’t complete, the Michigan Left was there).  To this day, that is the most-watched YouTube video I have ever posted, with just under 18,000 views.  The video wasn’t even of great quality, but if you would like to watch it, use this link.

The reaction to the redesigned intersection were decidedly mixed.  There were lots of complaints but some loved it.  At the time, my wife worked near 96th & Keystone.  When we would meet for dinner after work at Sahm’s Restaurant on Allisonville Road, she often used that Michigan Left and liked it.

Why am I going over this history?  Because Thursday, CRG Residential announced a $98 million development northwest of 96th Street and Allisonville Road.  But the biggest buzz connected to that announcement was the redesign once again of the 96th & Allisonville intersection, this time with a roundabout.  I suppose that means Fishers has determined the Michigan Left needs to be scuttled in favor of a roundabout.

There was also some public comment about the CRG development plans, because a development in that same area years ago, RiverPlace, never did get off the ground.  The City of Fishers has plans for 98 acres acquired north of 96th, along the White River, which will likely end up being some sort of city park.  That clearly was a factor in CRG’s decision.

So, as always, we will wait and see how this plays out.  The new social media question is – at a very busy intersection like 96th & Allisonville Rd., will a roundabout work?  I suppose we will find out.