U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced legislation that will improve traffic safety and provide more options for funding roundabouts.
The Visionary Intersections Modernization Act, S. 5407, would amend the Surface Transportation Block Grant program to include roundabout construction.
Young said his state of Indiana leads the country in roundabout construction. In Carmel, Ind., installation of roundabouts has resulted in an 80 percent decrease in accidents with injuries and a 40 percent decrease in accidents overall.
“Federal investments in infrastructure should prioritize safety and allow communities to best protect their residents,” Young said. “Roundabouts have proven to be a safe and effective way to improve traffic flow and reduce serious accidents. In Indiana, communities like Carmel have demonstrated the benefits roundabouts can provide for drivers and pedestrians. Our bill will give communities across the country more choices when seeking federal funding for infrastructure projects.”
The legislation is supported by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Traffic Safety Services Association, and the Safe Routes Partnership, the lawmakers said.
“Roundabouts are proven to make our roads safer and more efficient,” Peters said. “This bipartisan, commonsense bill would give communities in Michigan and across the country greater flexibility to invest in infrastructure upgrades, including roundabouts, that improve safety, ease congestion, and best meet the needs of residents.”
Companion legislation from U.S. Reps. Laura Gillen (D-NY) and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) has been introduced in the House of Representatives.