Downtown is getting its first 'roundabout.'
San Pedro Ave on the north edge of downtown was closed by construction crews today to begin work on the roundabout, which was included in a major development plan for the area approved by City Council last year.
The City says five streets, Camden, Navarro, North Main, and northbound and southbound San Pedro all come together at roughly the same place, making for confusing driving, people going the wrong way on one way streets, and accidents.
This is roughly the area where the 'Enchilada Red' Central Library is located.
The project is part of the Downtown Streets Reconstruction Project conducted as part of the 2012 bond plan.
The roundabout will allow motorists to circle counter-clockwise around the roundabout, getting off at the assigned street without the need for traffic signals. San Pedro will be closed until this summer, but the full project wont be done until later this year.
It will include raised medians, 10 foot shared use paths to improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity, new traffic and pedestrian lighting, and public art under the '1% for art' portion of the 2012 bond plan.