City to Hold Informational Meeting on North Point Roundabout

By Brandi Makuski

Members of the public are invited to an informational meeting next week to learn about a new roundabout coming to the city’s north side.

Talks of installing a roundabout at the intersection of North Point Dr. and Bus. 51 have occurred internally for more than a decade, according to city documents, and was intended for inclusion in the massive remodel of Division St./Bus 51, but fell by the wayside when that project was placed on the back burner in late 2015.

But now, the project is back in motion. In July, the Stevens Point Board of Public Works agreed to hire engineering firm AECOM, at a cost of $184,570, to design the new roundabout.

In a memo to the board, Public Works Director Scott Beduhn said redevelopment by Sentry Insurance on the former Holiday Inn site makes it the perfect time to install the new feature, which is expected to produce a traffic-calming effect.

“With development of the [former Holiday Inn] site underway, and potential for other development within the area, the importance to implementing these improvements is becoming even greater,” Beduhn’s memo read in part.

The roundabout will replace existing traffic signals at the city’s northern entrance, he said.

Work also includes resurfacing Prentice St. North, and re-striping North Point Dr. with a two-way left turn lane. Work is currently scheduled to occur in the summer of 2018.

The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017 from 6 to 7:30 PM in the cafeteria of Pacelli High School, 1301 Maria Dr.

The presentation will begin at 6 PM, followed by an open house allowing city and project officials to hear feedback from the public.