Two important intersections in Boerne will soon not be intersections at all, but the location of roundabouts, designed to move traffic safer and more efficiently than common crossroads.
The Adler Road-Plant Street project includes a roundabout — still in the design phase — that will move traffic in lanes around an inner “circle” without need for installation of a traffic light.
Next up on the roundabout installation list is the Johns Road-School Street intersection adjacent to the Boerne ISD central office and Boerne Middle School North.
The improvement of Adler Road was part of a bond issue Boerne voters approved in November 2022. It encompasses widening Adler to three lanes from Main Street to Esser Road with a center turn lane, a 5-footwide sidewalk and 10-foot-wide shared path on either side, curbing and storm drains.
The city also partnered with Kendall County to get funding, separate from the bond, to improve two low water crossings on Adler by installing new culverts.
But the installation of a roundabout will no doubt capture the attention of Boerne drivers.
“The improvements along Adler Road are based on recommendations from the Kendall County Boerne Fair Oaks Transportation Plan,” said Jeff Carroll, city engineering and mobility director. “They supported expanding Adler Road to three lanes ... including a roundabout, to improve traffic flow and long-term safety.”
Carroll outlined reasons for installing a roundabout as opposed to staying with the current four-way stop, or a needed traffic light.
Roundabouts are often more cost-effective to construct in the long run, he said, and eliminate the need for maintenance of traffic signal equipment, wiring and ongoing repairs.
“ With no traffic signals, there’s no electricity consumption, lowering energy use,” Carroll said. “And smoother traffic flow means less idling and lower fuel usage for drivers.”
Outside of bond money used to obtain right-of way to widen Adler to three lanes, the roundabout requires no additional land purchase.
“We’ve been able to design the roundabout and only required some additional right-of-way along the northwest corner of the project, which is on city-owned land,” he said.
Modern, well-designed roundabouts can provide long-term benefits by: Improving safety; promoting lower speeds and traffic calming; reducing conflict points; improving operational performance; and meeting a wide range of traffic conditions because they are versatile in size, shape and design.
“We are also in the final phase of designing a roundabout at Johns Road and School Street,” Carroll said. “While they may be new to some drivers, we believe once people begin using them, they’ll see how effective they are.”
Comment
Comments