By Shelby Stewart
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp.- The intersection of Oakhill and Sashabaw roads will provide some new turns for motorists next year.
The Road Commission for Oakland County recently announced plans for a roundabout at the intersection a project that is expected to cost $1.25 million, half of which will be paid by federal funds and the other half will be paid by RCOC.
Craig Bryson, RCOC senior manager of communications said the roundabout is necessary for several reasons.
“Crash history and traffic volume moved the intersection up on the list of perspective sites,” he said. “Safety is key. Oakland County has the greatest number of roundabouts in the state. We’ve been adding them since 1999 when one was built at Rochester and Rochester Hills border—since then traffic flow is much improved.”
The project will replace the current four-way stop and will close the road to through-traffic during the construction, which is expected to go from summer to fall of 2021. The roundabout itself is what is known as a ‘compact roundabout’ which is used in lower speed traffic area. There is one similar in downtown Lake Orion.
Jayson Rumball, township supervisor said the roundabout will keep traffic moving rather than stopping at a stop sign or traffic light and the price is right for the township.
“We will have to pay for two street lights there that will be our responsibility, and Independence (Township) is responsible for two as well,” he said.
While access to local homes and businesses will be maintained through construction, local business owner Rich Walker believes the construction will hurt his business.
“It could be a huge loss in business for us,” said Walker, owner of The Cracker Barrel, 5500 Oak Hill Road. “It’s too small of a roundabout. Semi-trucks need to get around it to be able to service my store. My concerns are semi-trucks and putting me out of business for a minimum of ten weeks.”
Pre-construction projects will be starting in the beginning of 2021 with tree removal, followed by utility relocation in the spring. The detour route for Sashabaw Road will be Seymour Lake Road to Baldwin Road to Clarkston Road to Sashabaw, and vice versa. The detour route for Oakhill Road will be Perry Lake Road to Seymour Lake Road to Dartmouth Road and vice versa.