Old Taylor Road Receives Double Roundabout
The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently began a double roundabout project at Old Taylor Road near campus.
The project will construct a double roundabout at the Old Taylor Road and Highway 6 intersection. There will be one roundabout on either side of the Old Taylor Road Bridge over Highway 6.
The purpose of the project is to relieve congestion on the Old Taylor Road Bridge during peak hours and to provide better access for motorists entering or exiting Highway 6.
“When you consider there are four main arteries coming to the point of the upcoming roundabouts, a four-way stop is not particularly effective,” said Ian Banner, director of facilities planning and university architect. “The new roundabouts will, in a nutshell, just keep things moving.”
The dual roundabout layout provides a continuous flow of traffic at each end of the bridge and decreases the delay in time between stops.
Another major component to the project will be widening the Old Taylor Road Bridge to accommodate four-lanes of traffic and a protected eight-foot sidewalk for pedestrians.
“This project will have a positive impact on how students and local residents access the campus and the City of Oxford,” said Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert. “These new roundabouts and the additional lane capacity will greatly relieve congestion in this area, and we ask for your patience as we work to improve motorists’ commutes in Lafayette County.”
This $6.8 million construction contract was awarded to Talbot Brothers Contracting Company of Nesbit. Construction is ongoing with a projected completion date of November 2014.
The major closures are scheduled to coincide with the university’s summer break. As work progresses, motorists should expect delays in this area.
Current view from UM Park and Ride lot northeast of Old Taylor Road Bridge
Post-Construction Rendering
