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County engineers propose roundabouts, right-turn lanes and constrained landscaping for Sandhill Boulevard widening
Summary
Johnson Engineering presented a 30% design update for the Sandhill Boulevard widening project. Staff recommended softening a critical curve, added right-turn lanes at Kings Highway, and proposed roundabouts at Capricorn and Deep Creek intersections. Commissioners asked staff to prioritize safety, low-maintenance medians and to include sleeves for
Johnson Engineering and Charlotte County public works staff presented a 30% design update on April 8 for the Sandhill Boulevard widening project and asked the board for guidance on intersection treatments, landscaping and lighting.
The project would widen Sandhill from the area south of Kings Highway toward the Deep Creek corridor, moving from a two-lane to a four-lane/median urban section in places. The consultant recommended flattening a tight curve ("Curve 3") to meet a 35 mph design speed, adding a right-turn lane for northbound traffic at Kings Highway to reduce stacking and delay, and evaluating roundabouts at Capricorn and Deep Creek Boulevard as alternatives to stop control or signalization. Engineers said roundabouts improve safety and reduce delay but require slightly larger right-of-way and higher initial cost than stop signs.
Staff asked direction on landscaping standards in medians and intersections. A “standard” (functional, low-cost) lighting and median treatment was presented and contrasted with an “enhanced” decorative landscaping option that would raise the budget substantially. Commissioners asked staff to avoid high-maintenance landscaping and to include sleeves or conduit for future irrigation or lighting changes so future retrofit would avoid major roadway disturbance. Staff also described cost drivers for lighting: decorative poles increase quantity and procurement/maintenance complexity; LED cobra-head-style poles are more economical and easier to maintain.
Board direction: commissioners generally supported adding the right-turn lane at Kings Highway; they favored roundabouts at Capricorn and Deep Creek pending traffic analysis to confirm interaction and gap/flow impacts; they rejected large decorative landscaping budgets for medians but asked for options for lower‑maintenance hardscape or xeriscape features and to provide sleeve infrastructure now so landscaping can be added later without major reconstruction. Staff will update design documents and right-of-way needs consistent with direction.
What’s next: the consultant will include the board’s directions in the 60% design package and continue public outreach, right-of-way analysis and cost refinement for construction documents.
