Light may get roundabout

SANDPOINT — The city is reexamining the need for a proposed traffic light at the intersection of Larch and Boyer, with some council members calling for a closer look at alternative traffic-control measures.

The proposed traffic light would be installed as part of an agreement between the city and Renova Partners LLC, which owns the old LP Lumber Mill site. Grocery store chain Super 1 Foods is exploring the idea of opening a store on 5.5 acres on the property and recently filed a site plan with the city.

If Super 1 moves forward with its plans, the traffic light would be installed during the first phase of construction, according to city documents.

While most City Council and staff members agree that some form of added traffic regulation would likely be needed at the intersection, some are questioning the need for a light.

Councilwoman Carrie Logan argues that a roundabout at the intersection would better serve the area’s traffic needs and have less impact on nearby residents.

“The discussion is whether we want a four-way stop light there versus a roundabout,” Logan said. “My personal preference is a roundabout, simply because you move traffic better than you do with a stoplight.”

Rarely seen in North Idaho, a roundabout is a type of road junction at which traffic enters a one-way stream around a central island. The roundabout trend is gaining popularity, and Public Works Director Kody Van Dyk said the city has plans to add at least four of the islands in the future. Van Dyk and his staff are designing roundabouts at the intersections of Schweitzer Cutoff and Boyer, Cedar and Boyer, Pine and Division and at the intersection of Michigan, Olive and Highway 2.

“Across the United States, they’re becoming much more accepted,” Van Dyk said. “They tend to move traffic very well, as well as having lower operating costs.”

Due to their large circumference, roundabouts often necessitate purchasing land adjacent to the islands, which Van Dyk said could potentially cause legal problems.

“We’ve talked a little bit about that, but really haven’t come to a good conclusion about what’s the proper or best way to go about it,” he said. “There are some Idaho Code issues about cities acquiring land, and we would have to follow that.”

The roundabout issue was brought up at last week’s Public Works meetings and at a special council session on Monday. The council will address it again next week, but has not set a timetable for making a decision.