The politicians were smiling, the crowd was nice and diverse and everybody clapped when they finally snipped the ribbon on the roundabout in downtown Senatobia last week.
“We went round and round about whether or not to hold a ribbon cutting,” said Mayor Greg Graves, as the crowd grinned at his joke. “First we said no, then we circled back to it and decided to have one.”
Graves did thank the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the project and he also said the real test will be the first day of school when traffic in the area swells.
Roundabouts are not new to North Mississippi – Oxford has several – but this is the first for Senatobia. MDOT data shows roundabouts are safer and more efficient in moving traffic.
“There are fewer fatalities and serious accidents at roundabouts because there are fewer accidents where one car T-bones another car,” said Brian Childs, District Engineer for MDOT. “I think as your downtown grows you will appreciate this roundabout and it will move traffic better.”
Childs said there is a learning curve and reminded motorists to follow the signage, get to the inside of the curve and always yield – and even stop – until they can safely enter the circle.
Senatobia Police Chief Richard Chandler echoed Child’s comments on safety and efficiency.
“We’ve only had one accident since it opened,” said Chandler. “And when the power goes out, roundabouts continue to function. If you have ever directed traffic in a busy intersection in the rain, in middle of night with the power out and the traffic lights not working you will appreciate that.”
The roundabout was a perfect solution to the two, three-way stops on Highway 51. School traffic and big trucks snarled traffic in the mornings and most afternoons.
And while the roundabout is open, it is not quite finished.
“We want to put a flag pole with a giant flag in the middle at some point and would like to do a little more landscaping,” said Senatobia Main Street Director Jamie Sowell. “But this is a big day and an historic day for our community. I’m so glad it’s here.”
Sowell also thanked those businesses directly affected by the construction for their patience.
