A roundabout is on its way to the northwest side of Ames.
The intersection of G.W. Carver Avenue and Cameron School Road is expected to experience an influx of traffic as a pair of neighborhood developments continue to progress.
The nearby under-construction 87-acre Bluffs at Dankbar Farms and the proposed 500-unit Greenbriar development have motivated the city to take action. The area is also home to the Ames Golf and Country Club, the Irons Subdivision, a large church, Alluvial Brewing Company, and Prairie Moon Winery, while Cameron School Road offers access to several smaller neighborhoods.
The Ames Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) suggested the city build a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of George Washington Carver Ave. and Cameron School Road. The roundabout will lower the speed limit to 35 miles per hour in that corridor.
On Aug. 11, the Ames City Council directed staff to pursue a roundabout at just under $3.8 million.
Two developments will likely increase traffic flow in north Ames
Friedrich Land Development Company is developing the Bluffs at Dankbar Farms to the south of the G.W. Carver and Cameron School Road intersection.
The 87-acre subdivision will have 105 lots, a possible convenience store, and Cedarhurst of Ames, an assisted living and memory care facility.
Construction on the $16 million Dankbar development is anticipated to finish in fall 2027.
Cedarhurst of Ames is expected to be fully leased and operational by the spring of 2029.
Greenbriar could dramatically change north Ames landscape
Friedrich and Hunziker companies are partnering to develop Greenbriar, a 153-acre neighborhood along George W. Carver Avenue and Hyde Avenue. Plans include 236 homes and nearly 220 apartments.
To make way for the development, the council approved the annexation of the Ames Golf & Country Club and the Irons Subdivision properties in July. Construction has not yet started.
Roundabout expected to reduce accidents
A roundabout is projected to reduce crashes in that area by about 65%, city documents say.
The roundabout is also expected to improve speed management and will include pedestrian and shared-use path crossings.
The traffic structure has fewer operating and maintenance requirements than a traffic signal would, according to city documents, estimating they’ll save $10,000 – $15,000 annually.
How will the roundabout be funded?
Story County is proposed to share 25% of the project cost because one of the four quadrants of the intersection is located within Story County’s jurisdiction. The total contribution would be $738,000.
Ames Public Works Director Justin Clausen said the Story County Board of Supervisors are supportive of the proposed funding plan.
A developer has agreed to contribute $200,000, according to city documents.
The city also expects the roundabout to be funded by a $500,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Transportation, in addition to a $1 million Tax Increment Financing (TIF) from the Dankbar development, according to city documents.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ames OKs $3.8M roundabout to slow northside traffic along G. W. Carver
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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By Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune | USA TODAY Network
