Roundabouts In Elmhurst? They're Being Pushed

ELMHURST, IL – Three Elmhurst aldermen are pushing for a new way to improve traffic flow in town – roundabouts.

On Monday, the City Council is set to vote on the aldermen's request for a city committee to examine the issue.

Aldermen Bob Dunn, Mike Brennan and Marti Deuter said improving traffic flow is a major city goal.

"Most of our traffic flow modification efforts have revolved around traffic control devices and adding or enhancing crosswalks," the aldermen said in a letter this week to the city administration.

They said the use of roundabouts has increased dramatically in the United States.

"We are requesting a focused effort be established to evaluate the benefit of installing roundabouts at key intersections in the City of Elmhurst and how to best fund these upgrades," they said.

The aldermen did not identify any intersections where they would like to see roundabouts.

They noted Carmel, Indiana, has installed more than 140 roundabouts over the last two decades.

They said evidence shows that rounabouts reduce crashes with injuries by 80 percent, move 50 percent more cars per hour and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 50 percent.

"The intersections that would benefit the most from roundabouts are those with moderate flow and speeds, similar cross-traffic patterns, and are experiencing backups or notable accidents," the aldermen said.