Drivers in Ironton were excited to learn this month that the new roundabouts on State Route 93, near the U.S. 52 interchange were finished.

The final portion was not expected to be completed until spring, but two factors changed that.

First, a period of unseasonably warm weather allowed work to continue longer than initially expected.

And, secondly, crews, from Allard Excavation, LLC, worked diligently during that period and got the work on the $3.9 million project finished well ahead of schedule.

It may have been a headache for many during construction, but the project is now over and traffic can once again flow uninterrupted.

Roundabouts reduce speeds for traffic and require less maintenance, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions through shorter vehicle idling time. 

Studies cited by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have shown that roundabouts reduce crash by more than 62 percent and injuries by 87 percent.

We thank the workers and the Ohio Department of Transportation for the speedy result in getting the city here.