The roundabout at 96th Street and Allisonville Road has been open to traffic for several months now, and has been the subject of much online chatter and news stories in the Indianapolis news media.  City Engineering Director Hatem Mekky told the Fishers City Council Monday night that the ongoing construction of the I-69 and I-465 Interstate Highway interchange is drawing more traffic than normal to that roundabout, particularly during morning and evening rush hours.  Preliminary numbers show a 20% increase in traffic volume tied to this intersection due to the Clear Path construction at I-46 & I-69.

Mekky told city councilors there is more work to be done following a review of video and other data on what is happening at the roundabout.  Light poles are being installed to help the visibility at night, pavement markings have been moved for better clarity on which lanes to use and new overhead signage is coming so drivers know which lane to use before entering the roundabout.

When accidents happen at the 96th & Allisonville roundabout, Mekky says most are due to one of two reasons – failure to yield and illegal lane change in the roundabout.  When the intersection was converted to a Michigan Left some years ago, drivers made a point of avoiding the intersection altogether, Mekky says, and those drivers are now back at the location traversing the roundabout.

Two roundabouts are due for construction this summer – 116th Street and Allsonville Road, as well as Howe Road and 131st Street.