Five points roundabout project could finish sooner than expected

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) - A highly anticipated project in Grand Island is set to finish a little earlier than expected.

The end date for construction to finish the five points roundabout connecting Broadwell Avenue, State Street, and Eddy Street is set for Oct. 1, but engineer Tim Golka said they might open it up on Friday, September 29.

In the next couple of weeks, the construction team just needs to add the finishing touches.

“They are finishing up the last of the concrete work, the mainline pavement and sidewalks,” Golka said. “Then we need to do all the fine grading, get the sprinkler system reinstalled, get sodding down and then we need to clean the roadway and get it striped.”

Despite the $4.1 million project possibly finishing up early, the team did face a few community-related obstacles along the way.

“The routes to some of the businesses weren’t the most convenient, that was kind of a struggle. We also were able to set up some temporary parking areas for some of the residents along here. We were able to maintain access for those folks as well, those are always challenging. "

Golka said this project can benefit all drivers in Grand Island.

”The roundabout is going to move traffic much more efficiently than the old traffic signal did here, with the five legs you have an extra cycle in the signal and it just caused a lot of extra delay to this intersection and you won’t see that anymore because those traffic lights are going to be gone, the red balls will be gone, and you won’t have to be sitting here waiting anymore,” Golka said.

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