Fort Thomas council and dozens of residents spent the Nov. 17 meeting debating a proposal to add a single‑lane roundabout at Highland and Grand avenues, tied to a broader “road diet” that would reduce vehicle lanes and add bike lanes.

The conversation was prompted after the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s District 6 reportedly included study and design funding for the intersection in the state budget. Council members and residents repeatedly said they have not yet seen a final design or community impact study; several suggested the state’s earlier feasibility drawing must be followed by more local outreach before the city signals support.

“[The district director] told us it was in the budget,” said a city official summarizing contact with KYTC; council members countered that the 2024 budget entry includes study and design dollars but no construction appropriation has been released and the state could decide to upgrade the intersection without a roundabout. Residents urged the council to take a firm role early: gather crash and pedestrian data, confirm how nearby businesses would be affected, and ask KYTC for clarifying engineering reports.

Several residents said pedestrian safety is a primary concern. "Pedestrians can't put across one line," one resident said, urging that planners treat pedestrian crossings as central rather than an afterthought. Others warned that a single‑lane roundabout close to existing storefronts could require property takings, complicate truck and emergency access and harm businesses that sit at the corners.

Council members described a stepped approach. One council member said it would be appropriate to tell KYTC that the city is not ready to commit to a roundabout while remaining open to alternatives — improved signage, restriping and lighting — that could be deployed if safety data shows a need. Another member suggested the state’s funds could be used for a study only if the council first confirms a clear appetite from residents.

The city administrator said the road‑diet work is scheduled to coordinate with planned utility and repaving work on Grand Avenue, and that full pavement and lane reconfiguration would likely occur in spring. He also said the district asked for a formal response so state engineers know whether to continue.

Next steps: Council asked staff to request written clarification from KYTC District 6 about what funds are available and whether construction money would follow the current design; they also asked staff to return with pedestrian data, traffic counts and options for lower‑cost improvements such as restriping and lighting before giving direction.

The discussion ended with no formal vote on the roundabout; members signaled they will press for community input and clearer engineering information before deciding whether to support the state’s proposal.