Pond, an ENERCON company, was selected by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) to design a turbo roundabout, the first of its kind in the southeast, to replace the existing intersection of University Boulevard and Merrill Road in Jacksonville, Florida. This project was identified as part of the JTA MobilityWorks Complete Streets Initiative, targeting safety, mobility, and accessibility improvements within a quarter of a mile of JTA’s highest ridership transit corridors.
A turbo roundabout is a specialized multilane roundabout designed to improve traffic flow and reduce conflict points. Unlike a conventional multilane roundabout, it uses spiral-shaped lane markings and raised or mountable lane dividers to guide vehicles into the correct lane before they enter the intersection. Drivers select their lane based on their intended destination and remain in that lane while traveling through the roundabout, minimizing weaving and lane changes. This configuration can increase intersection capacity, reduce vehicle speeds, and improve safety by making traffic movements more predictable.
The Complete Streets concept is an approach to planning, designing, and operating roads so they are safe, accessible, and convenient for everyone, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public-transit users, drivers, children, older adults, and people with disabilities. Depending on the location and purpose of the street, features may include sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, accessible curb ramps, transit stops, lighting, and traffic-calming measures. The goal is not to place every feature on every road, but to consider the needs of all users from the beginning of the transportation-planning process.
As part of this design project, Pond performed analysis of the roundabout and other intersection improvements and conducted extensive community outreach. Project tasks included roadway and drainage design, permitting, pavement design, landscape design, utility coordination, right-of-way acquisition, and public involvement, including a public hearing.
This project required coordination with Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the City of Jacksonville (COJ) as both initially had right-of-way interests. FDOT deeded the necessary right of way to COJ, turning this into a local project.
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