New Roundabout Opens At Notoriously Busy Oakland County Intersection
FARMINGTON HILLS (WWJ) - A brand new roundabout, opening today, is intended to fix traffic problems at one of the busiest intersections in Oakland County.
Where three major roadways intersect — 14 Mile Road, Orchard Lake Road and Northwestern Highway (M-10) — the Road Commission for Oakland County (RCOC) will shift traffic onto the new 14 Mile and Orchard Lake Rd. roundabout on the border of Farmington Hills and Township beginning in the afternoon, with the shift to be completed by 4:30 p.m.
According to RCOC, once the roundabout opens, traffic will temporarily be able to move in the following directions until the roundabout is fully open:
• Northbound Orchard Lake traffic will be able to proceed north or go east onto M-10
• Southbound Orchard Lake traffic can still proceed to southbound M-10 or will be able to go through the roundabout and west onto 14 Mile Road or southbound Orchard Lake
• 14 Mile Road, west of roundabout, will be open for traffic heading eastbound
• M-10 traffic will be able to proceed to Orchard Lake Road in order to head west on 14 Mile Road
While some in the community spoke out against the project, saying roundabouts are confusing, everyone seemed to agree that something had to be done to better manage traffic in that intersection.
[VIDEO: Do Roundabouts The Right Way]
The roundabout is part of the larger Northwestern Connector project expected to be completed in November.
Business access will continue to be maintained during the road construction.