How Fairfield’s new roundabout will fit into other area development plans

INITIAL REPORT: Fairfield drivers should get ready for city’s first modern roundabout

The roundabout is similar to the modern roundabouts constructed by the Butler County Engineer’s Office. However, this will be a three-way roundabout as opposed to the traditional four-way roundabouts.

“The county has experience with building roundabouts so what we’re trying to do is duplicate what they are doing, as closely as possible because the people are familiar to what the county is doing,” said Fairfield City Engineer Ben Mann.

Construction of the upgraded intersection will include, among other things, drainage improvements, curb and ditch improvements, an overlay of the entire road, and LED lighting by Duke Energy, said Mann.

The summer construction date for the project is in part not to interfere with school traffic, Mann said, “even though I don’t think it’s going to be affected by school traffic.” Mann said the school transportation director told him they could have been routed around. The River and Gray roads intersection is on the western-most portion of the city of Fairfield.

“It’s not an issue for school transportation; it’s an issue for truck transportation,” Mann said. “They’re going to have a long-distance detour.”

This part of River Road is a regular truck route.

The city will not need to acquire any right-of-way, but on Monday City Council approved legislation to have Duke Energy relocate existing utilities at the company’s expense. The city will purchase a small easement — approximately 10 by 15 feet — beyond the existing right-of-way for future maintenance and protection, according to a city staff report.

State funding from the Ohio Public Works Commission — $400,000 — will also be used to help pay for the project, which is estimated to be at more than $580,000. The city’s finance department must receive sealed roundabout construction proposals by 3 p.m. Feb. 11. Bid prices must be firm for 120 days following the bid opening date.

The intersection of River and Gray roads is just south of the Muskopf property, which the city purchased in 2017 to help with the expansion of Marsh Park.