By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
There were both cheers and jeers when the only traffic roundabout in Decatur opened – one year ago today!
On Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025, Mayor Dan Rickord made a few remarks, two ribbons were sliced and an idea first talked about in 2010 became a reality.
The traffic circle at Five Points still draws its jeers and jokes on social media, and even today is considered a waste of money by some forever critics.
But it is open and functioning.
“The intersection is running smoothly,” Mayor Rickord said this week.
An estimated 75-80 people turned out for the special event one year ago. Many of them were, as noted in a WZBD.com story, “…quite pleased to see the opening which meant an end to the detour that brought added traffic to their homes”.
Golf cart rides were offered after the ceremony and several people hopped on to become early users of the new creation.
The Indiana Department Transportation (INDOT) was in charge of the project. The contract for the effort was awarded by INDOT to E&B Paving, a Muncie firm which had the low bid of $2,493,109.
Decatur’s match was 20% of the final cost.
Documents signed by local and state officials on July 6 of 2024 launched the project. Work began 0n June 6 of 2025.
Initial discussions of a roundabout at Five Points were first aired as far back as 2010. Three or four years later, the 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.
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