Othello to install roundabouts in test

OTHELLO — The city of Othello will install temporary traffic circles in residential neighborhoods to see if they slow down traffic and reduce the number of collisions.

City engineer Shawn O’Brien showed a map of the project to Othello City Council members at the July 12 council meeting.

Concrete bumpers and reflectors will be installed at intersections on Hemlock, Larch, Spruce, Elm and Oak streets, and two on Ash Street. The concrete bumpers, each 4 inches high, will be installed in a diamond pattern with reflectors at each corner.

“This design is about as inexpensive as we could come up with, and it would also be easily removable if we decided we didn’t like the design,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said the goal is to have the roundabouts in place by January and leave them in place for a year.