By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The first of four traffic roundabouts in the N. Vine Street Improvement Project in Hays will be completely operational Saturday.
"The hourglass-shaped roundabout at the intersection of Vine Street with 32nd and 33rd Streets will become fully functional," says John Braun, Hays project manager. The advised speed limit is 25 mph, and there are no longer any traffic signals forcing traffic to stop.
The city's project webpage www.haysusa.com/vine has several videos to assist motorists in learning how to navigate the double roundabout, including right turns, left turns, through movements and U-turns.
Braun cautions motorists to avoid driving next to oversized vehicles in the roundabout. Vine Street is a federal north/south highway - U.S. 183 - which carries a lot of semi-truck freight as well as large wind turbine blades and towers.
Drivers should not stop in the roundabout, except for a traffic accident.
Once pedestrian traffic is allowed, motorists will still have to yield the right-of-way.
"It is possible you'd have to stop for a crossing pedestrian while you're in the roundabout," Braun explained.
"The crosswalks are at all four approaches/exits from the roundabouts. Motorists are always required to yield for pedestrians in a crosswalk."
With tomorrow's opening of the southernmost roundabout, the two-year project by contractor Smoky Hill Construction, Salina, is exactly on schedule, according to Braun.
"Contractually, they're supposed to have everything open and complete by December fifth, and that's where they're at. No time to spare, but getting it done. A little bit of ancillary work will continue," he noted.
Pedestrian traffic will remain limited until all the sidewalks along the double roundabout are completed. Braun expects the pedestrian-activated flashing beacons to be installed next week. Updated advisories will be posted on the city of Hays website.
The entire $13.1 million project has a completion date of November 2021. Work will continue during the upcoming winter.
"The contractor will be working to the west of Vine Street, on Skyline, 41st Street, and 37th Street," Braun said.
In the spring of 2021 as temperatures warm up, the contractor will return to Vine Street.
Season 2 construction is scheduled to begin in March 2021 with four phases. Roundabouts will be built at 37th Street, I-70 exit ramps, and 41st and Mopar Drive.