A roundabout at 84th and Cornhusker? ‘I don’t think it makes much sense,’ one driver says

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Lincoln Transportation and Utilities Department wants to implement a roundabout at 84th Street and Cornhusker Highway, replacing the traffic lights.

The city said the objective is to improve safety by reducing the frequency and severity of crashes.

But some drivers aren’t on board, noting that it’s close to the interstate and that a lot of semitrucks use the route.

“I don’t think it makes much sense for such an intersection so close to the highway, with semis and the traffic and the speed limit,” Megan Barron said. “And plus, roundabouts, there’s already one too many.”

Another driver, Barry Lake, said it would bring too much congestion.

“It’s a heavy used intersection and is not appropriate for a roundabout,” he said.

He said it would be unsafe and “a disturbance to the entire community.”

According to LTU, research shows roundabouts are one of the safest ways of transportation.

“The Institute of Highway Safety did a study that shows when you convert a traffic signal into a roundabout, you can reduce crashes by about 37%. It also showed that you can reduce serious injury crashes by 75%,” LTU spokeswoman Erika Hill said.

Hill said between 2012 and 2016, there were 70 crashes at 84th and Cornhusker.

“We know that by installing a roundabout, it would significantly reduce those crashes,” she said.

According to LTU data, on average, upward of 20,000 vehicles pass through the intersection every day.

“I think it would make it extremely more difficult to get through,” driver Ayden Hornburg said. “It might cause more incidents, but it would definitely cut back on the severity.”

If the project were to be approved, it would begin construction as early as 2027.

LTU is now accepting public comment on the idea.

The window will be open for comment until July 29.