Elgin may look for more help with roundabout

The city of Elgin is looking to get additional federal funds to help acquire property in the right-of-way of a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Dundee Avenue and Summit Street.

A federal grant could provide as much as $617,000 for property acquisitions, which could include portions of nearby properties now occupied by the BP gas station, KFC, CVS, McDonald's and Elgin Cleaners. A former Dunkin' Donuts property has already been secured.

The city would be responsible for another $155,000 for the acquisitions, but that number could increase if negotiations “require additional funds in order to close in a timely manner,” according to a city council agenda packet.

Council members will consider Wednesday whether to approve an agreement for the additional funds through the state Department of Transportation and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

City Manager Sean Stegall said it's unlikely the project would begin this year, but it depends on the property acquisitions, which have been ongoing since late 2009.

Pralad Patel, a manager of the BP station at 470 Dundee Ave., confirmed that they have talked with city officials, who indicated only part of the property's landscape would be acquired in the right-of-way, while the station would remain intact.

Stegall said city officials first started talking with IDOT about the needs of the intersection in 2001, but the roundabout design was first suggested in 2006.

In a roundabout, two lanes of vehicles travel counterclockwise around an island, and drivers make right turns to get to their desired street.

Stegall said the roundabouts move traffic more efficiently and help to reduce emissions, and are common throughout Europe and Seattle.

Elgin has other center median roundabouts, but none of the size of the one proposed at Dundee and Summit, he said.

The project would cost $3.58 million total: $772,000 for right of way acquisitions, $787,000 for design engineering, $220,000 for construction engineering and $1.8 million for construction.

Stegall said most of the costs would be paid for by the state.