By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Mother Nature must have been tired of waiting, too.
She shut off some light rain and brought out sunshine Wednesday, just in time for the grand opening of the Five Points Roundabout in Decatur – the long-awaited opening!
After some remarks by Mayor Dan Rickord, a number of current and former city officials snipped a big, red ribbon to make it official: an idea first talked about in 2010 was a reality, open to traffic.
Two ribbons were cut, one by local officials and another by those involved in doing the work.
The ceremony brought out an estimated 75-80 residents, some of them quite pleased to see the opening which meant an end to the detour that brought added traffic in front of their homes.
Golf cart rides on the roundabout were offered to those on hand and several took advantage, riding with the Police Chief Kevin Gerber, Fire Chief Jeff Sheets, former mayor Ken Meyer, and other officials.
In his remarks, Mayor Rickord thanked E&B Paving, the main contractor; American Structurepoint, which partnered with the city on the design of the roundabout; Fleming Excavating; the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), which oversaw the $2.5 million project; Michiana Electric; 3RB; and Harlow Landscaping, which has placed some 600 plants in and around the roundabout.
He also offered great gratitude to city employees for their considerable efforts in assisting the project, and to the nearby Haggard, Hirschy and Zelt Funeral Home which, being on the cusp of the project, was beleaguered by traffic problems for months.
Documents signed by local and state officials on July 6 of last year launched the project. Work began June 6.
First thoughts of a roundabout at Five Points were initially discussed in 2010. Three or four years later, such a project was placed in a city bid for a Stellar Communities grant. That was the first big step.
In all, the project involved three mayors, John Schultz, Ken Meyer and current mayor Rickord.
About the Author
