'Peanut' roundabout expected to land soon in Wooster
Plans by the City of Wooster are in place to install what’s known as a “peanut roundabout” at the Burbank-Winkler-Oldman intersections. The original hope was for construction to begin in 2026 but now a 2027 completion date, at the earliest, is more likely as part of the city’s 10-year strategic infrastructure plan.
If the roundabouts that have been popping up in and around Wooster in recent times are driving you nuts, well, brace yourselves.
Plans are in place to install what’s known as a “peanut roundabout” at the Burbank-Winkler-Oldman intersections. And while it will drive some batty, the improved intersection should relieve a lot of headaches.
A presentation was planned for the Feb. 18 city council meeting to discuss the project. The original hope was for construction to begin in 2026 but now a 2027 completion date, at the earliest, is more likely. The project is part of the city’s 10-year strategic infrastructure plan.
The city estimates the cost of the project at between $3.5 million and $4 million. It will be funded by the City Capital Fund, ODOT large city funds, state capital funds and others.
According to information provided by City Manager Joel Montgomery, the intersection was identified as a problem a quarter-century ago. The area has only seen more growth, both residential and commercial, in the 25 years since.
That has created increased traffic volume. And while the original roundabouts have been met with some trepidation, few who use them consistently would dispute their effectiveness. When traffic is heavy and there isn’t a lot of room for it, roundabouts have proven far more effective than traffic signals.
Montgomery pointed out that with the growth in the general area, traffic backups in the area of the proposed roundabout have become a regular issue, causing delays and safety concerns.
“Roundabouts reduce delays by 89 percent and stops by 56 percent,” Montgomery said. “They have also been proven to increase safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians compared to signalized intersections.”
Now that several roundabouts have been constructed in the area and in use for a while, the latest one on the drawing board may be met with less opposition.
“People thought it was going to be the end of the world,” Wooster Mayor Bob Reynolds said. “People get more used to it. But it was crazy at first.”
The peanut roundabout is so named because of its shape. Rather than the typical circle, it features two wide ends with a narrower midsection. Its peanut shape allows three streets to become part of one intersection.
In this case, with Winkler and Oldman bumping into Burbank about 100 feet from each other, cars will now be able to go “straight” from Oldman to Winkler by going around the roundabout. This should significantly aid traffic during heavy hours, such as the beginning and end of the work and school days or before and after athletic events at Wooster High School.
A similar roundabout was put in place in North Ridgeville and the early response has been all positive, with one exception. According to Montgomery, the time the roads had to be closed to build it caused a bit of a conundrum.
“We will attempt to coordinate construction over the summer as much as possible to limit impacts on school traffic,” Montgomery said. “But the length of construction will overlap with some of the school year.”
If all goes well, construction will take place between May and November of 2027.