Peoria approves design work for roundabout at Estancia Boulevard and Lone Mountain Parkway after spike in crashes

Peoria officials moved forward on an engineering plan to reduce crashes at the multi‑lane, stop‑controlled intersection of Estancia Boulevard and Lone Mountain Parkway, approving funding on Dec. 17 to develop design and construction documents for a roundabout.

Development Engineering Director Jeff Curran told council the intersection has historically had few recorded accidents but experienced a 375% increase in 2024, including multiple collisions in a short period and a recent pedestrian near‑fatality. Curran said the location does not meet traffic signal warrants and likely would not do so for years even with projected growth, and noted unwarranted signal installation can increase high‑speed collisions and driver confusion.

Curran presented interim steps already taken — high‑visibility ladder crosswalks, additional stop‑ahead signs and pavement legends, and median‑mounted stop signs — and said staff will pursue short‑term measures (oversized stop signs, traffic barrels, pedestrian flags and potential pedestrian flashers where allowed) while designing a longer‑term solution. For the long term, staff proposed a roundabout — a traffic calming solution that reduces collision severity and shortens pedestrian crossing distances.

Curran cited industry guidance: the Highway Safety Manual indicates roundabouts reduce severe (injury/fatal) crashes by roughly 78%–82% on average. He estimated construction for the proposed roundabout at about $1.5 million to $2 million and outlined a design schedule that would select a consultant in January, aim for 35% drawings by February, 90% drawings by May and construction in July, with staff to return seeking construction funding from the 2026 CIP.

Several residents addressed council in support of the roundabout; an eighth‑grade student from Lake Pleasant Elementary said she and classmates witness dangerous conditions daily and urged funding. Council approved the budget amendment for design work (agenda item 29R) by a 7‑0 vote.

Ending: Staff will proceed with consultant selection and design per the proposed schedule and return to council with construction funding requests and final plans.