Scottsdale council votes to replace planned roundabout at Scottsdale Road and Dynamite with signalized intersection

Scottsdale City Council on April 8 voted to rescope the Scottsdale Road and Dynamite Boulevard intersection from a previously planned multi‑lane roundabout to a signalized intersection and directed the interim city manager to return to council for approval of needed budget transfers and contract modifications.

The action follows a staff presentation from Lisonbee Timkew, transportation and infrastructure senior director, who outlined the project as a two‑mile reconstruction of Scottsdale Road from Jomax Road to Dixiletto Drive that includes drainage improvements, curb and gutter, medians, an east‑side shared use path, west‑side sidewalk and a new right‑turn bay at Lehi Drive. Timkew said the roundabout design began in 2020 with a federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant originally programmed to construct the roundabout. She said redesigning to a signal would require an estimated $280,000 in engineering to complete a new design, additional right‑of‑way acquisitions (amount to be determined) and potential additional third‑party utility relocations. She also noted long lead times for traffic signal procurement (about nine months) and that any funding swap would require regional approvals through MAG (Maricopa Association of Governments).

The discussion centered on safety, cost and community preference. Speakers for and against the roundabout emphasized safety and driver behavior. Supporters, including residents who live near the intersection and transportation advocates, cited crash‑severity reductions associated with modern roundabouts, the engineering staff recommendation favoring the roundabout for safety and operational performance, and that the roundabout had been the product of years of planning and a competitive federal grant award. Opponents — including many people who said they live in the horse‑property area north of Dynamite — cited driver unfamiliarity with multi‑lane roundabouts, concerns about maneuvering horse trailers and the desire to preserve what some described as “North Scottsdale character.”

Timkew laid out funding details included in the staff presentation: an HSIP grant (stated during the meeting as $1,900,000 for roundabout construction) and larger federal and regional contributions identified as STBG (Surface Transportation Block Grant) / MAG regional programs with a combined federal contribution figure shown in materials (the staff presentation referenced roughly $29,300,000 of federal/STBG funds tied to the corridor), and a proposed swap that would use MAG regional Arterial Lifecycle (ALCP) funds in place of the federal grant for this project while applying for federal funds for the alternate projects. Timkew and other staff emphasized the swap would require MAG approval and that it carried risk; they said a letter acknowledging risk would be required if council directed the change. Timkew estimated redesign and right‑of‑way activities could take about eight to nine months, with construction staged to minimize delay if possible.

After extended public comment and a council discussion that repeatedly returned to safety data, grant risk and neighborhood concerns, Councilman Barry Graham moved to redesign the intersection to a signalized intersection. The motion was seconded and a vote was taken; the motion passed. Council discussion and several speakers noted that the change would trigger contract change orders and potential penalties, and staff told council they would return with additional information about schedule, costs, and any contract or funding agreement implications.

What happens next: staff said they will begin redesign work if directed, coordinate required right‑of‑way and utility decisions, pursue the proposed funding swap with MAG, and return to council for any necessary approvals of change orders, budget transfers or contract amendments.

Votes at a glance: The council voted to rescope the intersection from roundabout to signalized. The motion was made by Councilman Barry Graham; the transcript does not record a full roll‑call tally in the public record excerpt provided. The staff presentation and many public comments are part of the public meeting record.