A conceptual drawing shows what a roundabout could look like on Wedington Drive just west of Interstate 540.
Source: City of Fayetteville
A three-lane roundabout could one day be built on Wedington Drive just west of Interstate 540 as part of the Wedington Corridor Neighborhood Master Plan.
The proposed plan was created using input from 88 residents who participated in a weeklong charrette held in October. The series of meetings was designed to help city planners understand how residents envisioned future development of the area from I-540 west to Broyles Avenue.
Participants said they wanted to see less traffic congestion, more neighborhood shops and better trail connectivity. The resulting plan was organized under four guiding principals:
1. Redefine Wedington Drive as Wedington Parkway
2. Envision the “heart” of the neighborhood along Rupple Road
3. Support active and public transportation options
4. Designate a north-south oriented “greenway” connected the Hamestring and Owl Creek watersheds
Proposed changes to the area include a roundabout to replace the series of traffic signals at the I-540 interchange, a tree-lined median on Wedington Drive, paths connecting commercial areas to city trails, a branch of the Fayetteville Public Library, a new junior high school, community center, farmers’ market and a separated side path on the north side of the I-540 overpass for pedestrians and cyclists.
The roundabout design would eliminate the two stoplights on the west side of the interchange and includes a “jug handle” loop to replace the existing left turn for eastbound Wedington vehicles entering northbound I-540 traffic.
The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department would have the final say on how the interchange is handled. Construction of a roundabout could coincide with the department’s plans to widen I-540 and improve nine interchanges, including the Wedington Drive ramps.
City Council members will consider adopting the plan during the next regular meeting on Tuesday, March 5.
