"Revamped Roundabout Revs Up Excitement at SUU Campus Intersection"

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Revamped Roundabout Revs Up Excitement at SUU Campus Intersection

Community gathers to mark the completion of a major traffic improvement project in Cedar City

After nearly five months of construction, the new roundabout at the intersection of University Boulevard and 1150 West in Cedar City is now open to traffic.

On Thursday afternoon, just before the roads were officially opened to vehicles, Southern Utah University students, project workers, and local officials gathered to celebrate the occasion.

Attendees walked around the circular path, symbolizing the community's collective effort in enhancing the city's infrastructure.

SUU President Mindy Benson expressed optimism about the project's impact, stating, "We knew that traffic was an issue down here and hopefully this will help keep traffic moving, especially when students are on the way to class in a winter storm and backed up over that hill."

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) collaborated closely with SUU throughout the project.

Engineer Sam Grimshaw from UDOT highlighted the safety benefits of the roundabout, noting that studies indicated it would be more effective than traditional stoplights.

He added, "The roundabout actually made more sense safety-wise, both for pedestrians and vehicles."

Construction began on June 9, 2025, and was initially scheduled to conclude by late October.

However, the project faced delays, pushing the completion date to mid-November.

Despite its relatively small size, the roundabout is designed to accommodate large vehicles.

UDOT workers emphasized that the low curb allows semi-trucks and emergency vehicles to navigate the intersection effectively.

Looking ahead, SUU has several ongoing construction projects.

President Benson mentioned the expansion of the business building, the new music building, and the reorientation of the softball field, among others.

She encouraged the community to stay tuned for more developments.

The completion of the roundabout marks a significant step in improving traffic flow and safety near the SUU campus, reflecting the collaborative efforts of the university, UDOT, and Cedar City officials.