Main Street roundabout construction set for May

If all goes according to plan, students, faculty and staff can anticipate additional stress towards the end of the semester as construction commences on a roundabout at the Main, Winchester and Marlboro Street intersection.

Keene State College stands to lose one tenth of an acre of Blake House land to the project with compensation in the form of pedestrian safety improvements, said Jay Kahn, vice president for finance and planning.

According to Kahn, safety improvements along Winchester Street would include a median strip at least six feet wide, improved lighting and speed tables. An additional feature would be illuminated crosswalks, said City Manager John MacLean.

When the project was originally discussed about four years ago, it was around $1 million because it was just a "simple roundabout program," said Mayor Michael Blastos.

The complexity of the roundabout has divided the City Council over the rising costs for construction, which has added amenities to help curb pedestrian dangers for KSC students.

"I think it was a terrific project at $750,000, not at $4 million," said City Councilor Pamela Russell Slack.

"This is what must be done for the good of this community," said Councilor Robert Farrar.

According to Councilor James Duffy, roundabouts are safer, allow less wear and tear on the infrastructure and reduced air pollution.

However, Councilor Joseph W. Bendzinski said student and pedestrian traffic was heavy in the area and he was concerned about safety.

He also said he didn't "think we have the traffic problem here that everyone screams about."

Some students agree with Bendzinski.

"I've seen plenty of slower intersections other places," said junior Matt Griffin.

Freshman Laura Harris, a commuter student, said the roundabout would make the intersection more confusing and dangerous for pedestrians and college students.

"I think the light system there is pretty good how it is," she said.

However, other students believe the intersection needs to be changed.

"It's too congested over there. Coming off of Winchester Street, it gets really backed up," said freshman Tess Felahi.

One final step in the development would be the acquisition of former state Sen. Tom Eaton's property, located behind the former Keene Book Exchange property.

"It all depends on how soon we get the property away from Mr. Eaton," said Blastos.

The city wants 4,227 square feet of the land for the roundabout, but Eaton will not sell.

"I have objections to the amount of money being spent," said Eaton.

City Council voted 9-6 in favor of pursuing eminent domain regarding Eaton's land at their Feb. 15 meeting. The next step will be a public hearing held at 6 p.m. March 19 in Council Chambers.

"I would be very happy if public opinion prevailed at this point," said Eaton.

According to Eaton, the city offered him $18,000 and 5,100 square feet of land behind the Keene Book Exchange.

"I argue if this (project) is really for the public good," he said.

The city already purchased land from the Keene Book Exchange, Keene State College and the U.S. Postal Service. The U.S. Postal Service received $1,100 for their parcel of land and $275,000 was paid for the Keene Book Exchange, said Blastos.

According to Public Works Director Kürt Blomquist, the project would be constructed in two phases. The first would be the reconstruction of the intersection and roundabout installation, which would take approximately 90 days, he said.

The second would be "the reconstruction and utility replacements along Winchester Street and the construction of the median along Main Street," he said.

While the bulk of the project would be done by the end of 2007, clean up and minor paving would happen in spring 2008, said Blomquist.

The intersection is anticipated to be closed for 90 days. After that, Main and Marlboro Streets would reopen, but Winchester Street would remain closed until the completion of the project, said Blomquist.

In addition to detours around the intersection for vehicles, pedestrian traffic would possibly face some rerouting around the college.

"We will make adjustments in accordance with the contractor's schedule," said Kahn.

Also, Campus Safety would communicate progress and any traffic directions that needed to be observed during the construction period to the college community, he said.

The project, which includes the roundabout, medians, slip lanes and pedestrian improvements on Winchester Street and Main Street, is estimated at $4.2 million.

According to MacLean, the city would use an interfund loan to pay for the project.

The money would come from the city's solid waste fund, be loaned to the general fund, and then paid back over 15 to 20 years.