Roundabout should ease congestion on Seidel Road

Orange County hopes traffic will run smoother at the intersection of Seidel Road and Summerlake Park Boulevard with the installation of a roundabout. 

The Orange County Board of County Commissioners awarded a $1.47 million contract to American Persian Engineering and Construction LLC for roundabout improvements, which also includes plans for multi-lane and single-lane approaches, new sidewalks, drainage infrastructure, lighting and updated signage and pavement markings.

Yougens Pierre with Orange County Public Works’ Traffic Engineering Division, said a traffic calming and safety study was completed for Seidel Road, and a roundabout was recommended at the intersection to provide “an efficient transportation network and maintain a livable and safe environment for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.”

Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said a roundabout is a better solution to the traffic than a stoplight at the intersection. 

“Everyone wants a light because they think it’s an instant fix,” she said. “But the problem is they stack, and then people get stacked (at the light) and then they zoom to the next one and then they stack. A roundabout is designed to actually just slow the entire pace down. … It makes the most sense for the residential uses that are there.”

Wilson said a roundabout also will not cause any disruptions if the power goes out, such as during a hurricane, like a stoplight would. A roundabout also makes it so people can’t race in their cars down the roads.

Pierre said the roundabout will help reduce vehicular delays and improve safety at the intersection. 

“Currently, northbound left turning movement fails with Level of Service F in the PM peak hour,” he said. “Taking all factors in consideration, a roundabout provides the best intersection control to maintain traffic flow, slow speeding and minimize crashes.”

Construction is anticipated to begin by the end of the year and is expected to last at least nine months, pending any unforeseen delays. 

Throughout construction, drivers can expect some lane shifts, but there will be no detours, and traffic will be maintained as work progresses on the roundabout until its completion, Pierre said. 

Adjacent to the intersection at Seidel Road and Summerlake Park Boulevard is the three-way intersection of Ficquette Road, Summerlake Park Boulevard and Reams Road, which has a stoplight and usually backed up traffic. 

To ease flow of traffic, the county is transitioning the intersection from a stoplight to a roundabout. 

“The two roundabouts will enable traffic to move through both intersections at a safe speed with minimum delays,” Pierre said. “It’s a significant improvement for traffic management in the area.”