O'Fallon council approves one-way 'early open' option to ease traffic at Weldon Springs/Technology Drive

O'Fallon — City staff presented and the O'Fallon City Council voted June 4 to authorize an alternative traffic-relief measure for the Technology Drive and Weldon Springs area, approving a one-way “early open” of part of the roundabout alignment rather than installing a temporary traffic signal.

Chris Clerks, the city's capital improvement manager, said the council's May 22 resolution authorized staff to pursue a warranted traffic signal and to spend up to about $100,000 on that remedy, but staff now proposes redirecting resources toward building a one-way section of pavement through the roundabout construction limits so residents can reach Highway K sooner. Clerks said the best estimate for installing a temporary signal was roughly $81,000, with design costs of about $25,000, while the one-way option requires a one-time contractor payment (discussed in the meeting) and an incentive clause…