The Mississippi Department of Transportation will be constructing a roundabout in Yazoo City as early as this upcoming summer season.
Using federal safety funds at a price tag of about $2 million dollars, the roundabout will be constructed at the intersection of Highway 3 and the Willie Morris Parkway, where a four-way stop is currently located. Andy McNair, with MDOT, presented a Memorandum of Understanding to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen last Monday.
“We hope to (begin) this June,” McNair said. “I am here to ask you for a construction easement to build out about 700 feet east of the intersection, which will consist of a little bit of paving and restriping as well.”
With board attorney Lilli Evans-Bass absent during this week’s city council meeting, Mayor David Starling said he anticipates the MOU being signed before the next board meeting.
“I was concerned about the 18-wheelers in the roundabout,” Starling said. “But I spoke with Commissioner Willie Simmons, and he told me this roundabout is designed to handle that.”
McNair said the easement will allow the space available to accommodate such traffic.
“The roundabout is designed to slow people down,” McNair said. “We swing people right and left as they come into that circle, and it is designed to slow people down before they actually enter the circle.”
“When they learn that it is there, they will slow down,” added Alderman Charlie Jenkins. “It won’t take but one time.”
