Mandan's first roundabout being installed

Jun. 23, 2021 - The Highway 1806 intersection with Old Red Trail and Collins Ave is under construction for the installation of a roundabout. The roundabout is part of a bigger project stretching from the I-94 Mandan Ave interchange to 27th Street NW. The City and North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) partnered on this project after identifying a need to improve pavement conditions, increase roadway width, and add drainage facilities to bring the area up to standards of an urban arterial roadway to accommodate increased traffic volume in the area.

The intersection has been controlled as a four-way stop, however during high traffic times it can be confusing for drivers. Some may be a little hesitant to try a roundabout. According to the NDDOT’s informational video on how to drive a roundabout, national studies show that intersections using roundabouts are 90% safer and more efficient than conventional intersections with traffic signals and stop signs. The NDDOT defines a roundabout as “a circular intersection where drivers travel counterclockwise around a center island.”

How to use a roundabout :

  • There are no traffic signals or stop signs.
  • There is no stopping, only yielding.
  • Drivers entering the roundabout must yield to the traffic inside the roundabout.
  • The only way to exit the roundabout is to make a slight right hand turn at the desired exit.

Roundabouts provide many benefits:

  • Elimination of high speed crashes;
  • Improved traffic flow;
  • Increased traffic capacity;
  • Ability to accommodate vehicles and trucks of all sizes; and
  • Increased safety for all travelers.

The Federal Highway Administration indicates roundabouts are a proven safety countermeasure because they can substantially reduce crashes that result in serious injury or death.

“Transportation focused engineers are virtually unanimous in their support of roundabouts versus four-way stops,” says City Engineering and Planning Director Justin Froseth. “In many cases they support roundabouts rather than signalization as well.”  

Mandan’s first roundabout is anticipated to be complete late this fall. Stay tuned to the cityofmandan.com website for information on the use of roundabouts.

Hwy 1806 N Street Improvement District No. 219 project information is available at cityofmandan.com/roadprojects.