2016 Top Stories Countdown — No. 6: KDOT’s First Modern Roundabout
- Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a series counting down the top 10 Kane County Connects stories of 2016.
Kane County’s first modern roundabout was proposed many years ago, but came into being in 2016.
Articles on Kane County Connects throughout the year told the story of the planning and the progress, but the one that really connected with readers (7,637 page views) was the simple announcement in January that the construction was about to begin — along with a little explanation of what roundabouts are, and what they are not.
There are a lot of misconceptions about roundabouts, based on drivers’ experiences with traffic circles — which are not the same thing. The roundabout at the intersection of Burlington Road and Illinois Route 47 is designed to improve safety and traffic flow.
The Insurance Institute on Highway Safety says modern roundabouts are not only safer but far less expensive than traffic signals — to the tune of $3,000 to $5,000 annual savings. They decrease air pollution, conserve land space, are less noisy and reduce maintenance expenses.
More information regarding this improvement can be found on this page of the Kane County Division of Transportation website.
Click here for a slide presentation on the Burlington/IL Route 47 Intersection.
Read More
- UPDATE: County’s First Roundabout Project Completed
- KDOT October Update: Progress on Kane’s First Roundabout and More
- UPDATE: Roundabout Construction Starts April 11 at Burlington Road and Route 47
- KDOT’s First Roundabout Will Be Built in Campton Hills
- Look Ahead (2nd UPDATE): Roundabout Project on KDOT’s 2016 To-Do List
About the Kane County Division of Transportation
KDOT’s mission is to provide and maintain a safe and efficient transportation system while maintaining the county’s visions and values. Serving a population of more than 520,000, Kane County’s transportation infrastructure is constantly being enhanced to accommodate growth. Kane County Division of Transportation employees are responsible for the maintenance, planning, design and construction of more than 320 miles of roadway. KDOT also provides technical assistance to the 16 townships and coordinates with a number of different state, regional, and local agencies on transportation and land use issues. For more information, visit the Kane County Division of Transportation website and Facebook page.
2016 Top Stories Countdown
- No. 10: Middle School Student Threatens Shooting
- No. 9: Free Wood Chips!
- No. 8: Kane County Mourns Loss of Steve Chidester
- No. 7: The Curious Incident of the Great Galesburg Zephyr
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