St. Louis County canceled its proposed roundabout project at the intersection of Yaeger Road and Milburn Road in Oakville as of May 22, following significant public opposition.

The county posted the cancellation announcement on the project’s webpage Wednesday.

The county held two public meetings – one in November and one May 13 – where residents voiced their concerns and opposition to the project. Respecting the community’s wishes, the county decided not to move forward with the roundabout. As a result, the county will lose a federal grant of more than $1 million specifically allocated for mitigating traffic congestion at that specific intersection.

Instead of the roundabout, enhanced signage will be installed at the intersection, and vegetation will be cleared to ensure the visibility of the signs.

The original proposal, AR-1860, aimed to transform the four-way intersection into a one-lane roundabout, including ADA-compliant curb ramps and sidewalks. The county targeted the intersection as it ranked among the “top 10 intersection safety needs” due to a higher-than-expected number of crashes. Between 2017 and 2020, the intersection saw 48 accidents, 10 resulting in injuries.

Despite the potential benefits, including reduced traffic congestion and improved pedestrian safety, local residents were not convinced. Concerns about navigating the roundabout and its potential to increase accidents led to the project’s cancellation. The county will now focus on alternative safety measures for the intersection.