The Rochester City Council voted July 1 to change the slip lane at the North Main Street traffic circle to a yield control, after a lengthy Public Safety Committee debate over near‑misses and engineering concerns.

Director Norris of the Department of Public Works told the council there is “no significant accident history out there to support a change” and warned the slip lane’s merge design reflects the original traffic‑engineer intent. “North Main Street ... carries 12 to 14,000 vehicles a day,” he said, and changing a merge to a regulatory yield could alter traffic dynamics and create unintended consequences.

Committee members and several councilors pushed back. Councilor Hammond, who represents residents near the Holy Rosary Church and the funeral home, said she brought the matter to the committee after repeated reports of near misses. “I was the one that brought this to the safety committee because I belong to that church ... I get complaints from people going into the funeral home,” she said.

Other councilors described repeated close calls by motorists exiting the roundabout and using the slip lane. Councilor Walker and others argued that a yield sign would provide clearer right‑of‑way guidance than the existing configuration and could reduce risky maneuvers. Public‑safety committee minutes and emails from residents were cited in support.

Director Norris cautioned the council that the designer preferred a merge condition; he also raised liability and engineering approval concerns if the city changed an element of the design without the designer’s official sign‑off. “Changing this to yield control is changing a design element without the designer’s official approval,” he said, adding that the issue has attracted attention on social media.

Council debate split. Some members urged caution and the collection of collision data before changing traffic control; others favored a proactive change to reduce near misses. The council called the question and approved the committee recommendation by roll call vote; the motion carried with some no votes recorded during the tally.

Public Works will implement the signage change and place pavement markings as appropriate. Director Norris said the department will coordinate the signage and monitor the location for any changes in traffic behavior or incidents.

The council’s action concludes a year of committee discussion; staff said the change is intended to improve clarity for drivers while monitoring for any unintended operational impacts.