Entrenched viewpoints, missing information, a ranking system viewed as potentially flawed and the specter that none of the three routes may be safe enough led some to speculate the monthslong effort might be moot.
A 2017 study by the state showed roundabouts resulted in an 80% reduction in fatal and serious injury crashes compared to right-angle intersections with signals or signs and a 42% drop in all types of injury crashes at intersections with any kind of roundabout.
Over the years, county officials said there are a number of examples of the county acting as the township government for the First Assessment District, more commonly known as Unorganized Territory refusing requests from residents to take over maintenance of private roads because they didn’t conform to standards expected by the highway department.
The northern half of the project, which extends from County Road 127 north around Round Lake to the intersection with Highway 371, is slated for reconstruction in 2024. The southern portion from 127 along the south shore of the lake is set for 2023, and Bray said they’ve extended offers to all property owners along that stretch from whom right of way must be acquired.