Most locals and commuters traveling the recently constructed Morse Road and Kitzmiller Road roundabout have likely experienced the benefits of the improved intersection. Continuous travel through the intersection and fewer crashes are two primary accomplishments. Read on to learn more about the Morse Road and Kitzmiller Road intersection improvement project and how the project moved from study to design and construction.

The previous Morse Road and Kitzmiller Road intersection configuration was among the top five most dangerous unsignalized intersections in Franklin County, so there was an immediate need for improvement. Our traffic team began the project with data collection, capacity analysis, a preliminary geometric study, and a feasibility study. They worked closely with the roadway team to develop preliminary intersection layouts that focused on safety and efficiency.

Our team knew they had to minimize property impacts to keep the project on budget. They also knew they needed to design the intersection in a way that successfully accommodated the significantly higher traffic volume on Morse Road and future growth of the area. An elliptical, single circulating lane roundabout was the perfect solution to the challenges.

There were two large culverts and a bridge within the project limits. Our bridge team owned the challenge of designing a bridge on a tight curve and producing quality plans in less than two months. The County specified the type of bridge, span arrangement, and other details necessary so our team could immediately begin design. With no time to spare, the team started brainstorming solutions. They incorporated a unique design element, called a kicker beam, to support the main bridge beam.

Because our design team was involved in the early stages of the project, the project moved swiftly from study through design and construction. A clear scope of work and project schedule were established early, reducing delays. The construction dates were paramount for satisfying the state safety funding requirements.

Though short project schedules are challenging, it helps nominalize the cost of inflation. Other cost-saving measures for the project included value engineering and limited right-of-way impacts. These combined efforts helped save Franklin County nearly $100,000!

We are proud of our team for their seamless communication with the client, stakeholders, and each other. It was imperative for aligning expectations and moving this project from study to construction in the desired timeframe. The Morse Road and Kitzmiller Road improvement project was accomplished on time and under budget, which is a testament to our team’s innovative design capabilities, hard work, and drive for excellence.