Chautauqua McLafferty Roundabout (Completed)

Description: Chautauqua Street and McLafferty Road are primary access roads to Southern Illinois University (SIU) for commuters arriving from the south and west. During peak hours, traffic becomes congested. This congestion results in frequent rear-end collisions for northbound and westbound traffic. This roundabout will make the intersection safer and allow traffic to flow without blockage.

Start Date: October 2020

Completion Date: May 2021 

Location: The roundabout will be at the intersection of Chautauqua Street and McLafferty Road on the southwest side of Carbondale.

Project Cost: $736,000

Funding Source: 90% HSIP Grant, 10% City

Contractor: Samron Midwest Contracting, Murphysboro, IL

Construction Updates 

5/13/2021 - The roundabout is now open! The new roundabout will make the intersection safer and allow traffic to flow without blockage, shortening your commute time! 

4/29/2021 - Crews have completed the relocation of electric lines, ditch grading, site grading, and topsoil replacement. Work continues on the topsoil and landscaping, but spring weather has not been cooperating. Contractors say they'll soon begin striping the pavement and installing signage. We hope to open the roundabout late next week (the first week of May 2021), pending any further weather delays. 

3/31/2021 - Work is progressing on the City's first roundabout! The pavement has been poured and now crews are working on sidewalks, grading, landscaping, and roadway markings.

3/8/2021 - Weather conditions briefly halted the construction of the Chautauqua legs of the roundabout, but crews are now back to work! The roundabout is expected to be complete in April 2021. 

1/6/2021 - Construction of Phase 2 (closure of Chautauqua Road and construction of the Chautauqua legs of the roundabout) is well underway! The contractor will continue construction as weather permits.

12/22/2020 - Pavement has been poured on the south leg (McLaffterty). Construction of Phase 2 (of 2) will begin Monday, December 28. Chautauqua Road will close at 7 a.m. and remain closed until the completion of the project. 

12/1/2020 - Curbs and medians have been poured on the south leg (McLafferty). Weather permitting, the contractor plans to pour the pavement on the south leg this week and next week. This will complete the concrete work on the south leg except for the sidewalks. Weather permitting, the contractor will begin work on Phase 2 of the project, which will include the closure of Chautauqua, in January 2021.

11/16/2020 - The grading and sub-base work on the south leg (McLafferty) is now complete. Paving work on McLafferty has begun and is expected to take several weeks to complete, weather permitting.

10/20/2020 - McLafferty Road and Briarwood Drive have been closed. Work will be progressing on the south leg of the intersection for the next few weeks (tree removal, pavement removal, grading, etc.). Chautauqua will remain open but citizens should travel through the area with caution.

10/19/2020 - Due to weather conditions, work on the roundabout will begin Tuesday, October 20. Drivers should expect S. Briarwood Drive and S. McLafferty Road to close at the intersection with W. Chautauqua Street at approximately 7 a.m.

10/5/2020 - Utility relocations are now in progress. Work on McLafferty Road will begin on October 19. During construction, McLaffery Road will be closed to all traffic and detours will be in place. The City of Carbondale asks that drivers seek alternate routes.  

09/18/2020 - The City of Carbondale has been notified the tentative start date for this project is October 19, 2020.