County engineers recommend roundabouts, preemptive bus signal for Southwest 80th Avenue near Westport High

Marion County engineers outlined plans to widen Southwest 80th Avenue near Westport High School and to add safety features including roundabouts at key intersections and a preemptive traffic signal at the high school bus driveway.

The engineers, introduced by Xavier Baleridi, said the design will provide 12-foot travel lanes, 4-foot bike lanes and a 12-foot shared-use path along the school. They presented two intersection alternatives and recommended roundabouts for safety reasons, saying roundabouts typically "reduce fatal and serious injury crashes by about, like, 78 percent." The county also proposed rectangular rapid-flashing beacons and pedestrian warning signs at crosswalks adjacent to the school.

Why it matters: The project touches school property and temporary construction easements that will allow adjustments to an on-site drainage pond and to fencing. The county said the agreement calls for conveyance of right-of-way and easements from the district in exchange for the county designing and building the preemptive signal, and for the county to pay for and maintain that signal under a maintenance agreement.

Key details: Xavier Baleridi said the interlocal agreement tied to the project provides for the conveyance of right-of-way and temporary construction easements to permit lane widening and installation of the signal. Presenters identified CW Roberts as the contractor; staff reported the bid was awarded in November, with phase 1a (the south phase) scheduled for a notice to proceed in early March and phase 1b (the segment that affects the high school) expected in summer. The county said it intends to keep two travel lanes open during construction by shifting traffic rather than instituting total lane closures.

Board response and next steps: Board members pressed staff on pedestrian access and car-line impacts. The board sought assurances that student drop-off and the main car loop would operate safely after left-turn restrictions are put in place; county and school staff said Westport currently operates dual parent car lines and that the district and county will host a parent night in the fall to share construction staging and educate families. County staff also told the board they will work with school officials on staff parking and bus staging to minimize afternoon bottlenecks.

The presenters said temporary-construction-easement obligations for fence repair would rest with the contractor and that the county expects to finish the roundabout and signal work by the end of the summer following a phased construction schedule. The board did not take a final vote on the interlocal agreement at the work session; staff said they will continue coordination with school leadership and provide follow-up materials and a parent outreach plan.