Work on Eagle Road in South Meridian is now complete, including an expanded roundabout at Eagle and Amity Roads.
Ada County Highway District Commissioners joined Meridian City Council members and representatives to dedicate the roundabout in October, with finishing touches completed on the project over the last few months.
There are now two lanes approaching and going through the roundabout. The southbound leg also has a dedicated right-turn lane.
Pedestrians and bicyclists will now use a new separated 10-foot multi-use pathway as well as crosswalks at each leg of the intersection with two-stage pedestrian crossings. Additionally, the roundabout features a truck apron for the safe travel of larger vehicles.
The roundabout was added to the Eagle Road Widening Project in August of 2020. The expanded roundabout was originally intended to be built with new development at the northwest corner of the Eagle and Amity intersection before the roadway was widened. When the development was delayed, ACHD chose to keep the roadway construction on schedule and added the roundabout design to the project on an accelerated timeline, allowing the roadway construction to stay on schedule.
"In the years to come, this roundabout will keep traffic moving, both for those who live here now, and those who choose to make this their home in the future," said Former Commission President Kent Goldthorpe as he addressed guests at the ceremonial ribbon cutting in October.
During the ceremony, Commissioner Goldthorpe recognized community members and the City of Meridian who provided input on the project, which helped ACHD decide to build the multi-use pathway. He also thanked the ACHD staff members who helped with the design.
Also recognized was Central Paving Company Inc., who helped build the roundabout. "We know this has been far from a normal project, far from a normal year and we appreciate your hard work and all of the staffing, resources equipment, and other challenges that you've faced," Goldthorpe said.
The roundabout is part of the Eagle Road Widening Project, which includes construction on Eagle Road from Amity Road to Victory Road. The project also includes widening the stretch of Eagle Road to two lanes in each direction, with a center turn lane. Additionally, a multi-lane roundabout has been installed at Eagle and Zaldia, along with a signalized pedestrian crossing at the canal path area.