Sylvania selects 'bowtie' roundabout design for Erie/Monroe rebuild

Sylvania officials have decided on a “bowtie” roundabout design for the planned reconstruction of the Erie and Monroe streets intersection on the western edge of downtown.

The layout, which also looks like a dog bone or cotton swab, is planned to replace a traffic signal at that intersection and incorporates Erie’s corner with San Reno Drive, as does the current signal array.

The selection was guided by input the city received during a public comment period that started with an open-house meeting Aug. 6 and concluded Sept. 6, Joseph Shaw, Sylvania’s director of public service, said in an announcement. Preliminary design now will begin, he said.

The intersection is to be rebuilt as part of a project to repair and resurface Erie between Centennial Road and Monroe that is expected to cost about $3.6 million and is scheduled for construction in 2027. Sylvania obtained $2.86 million in federal funds through the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments in 2021 toward the project’s funding.

Public preference for the “bowtie” design was driven by desire to maintain full access to Erie at the San Reno end of the intersection, Mr. Shaw said Wednesday morning. A conventional circle at Erie and Monroe would have resulted in only right turns being allowed into and out of San Reno at Erie.

“The bowtie option also would require less proposed [new] right-of-way to build than the conventional roundabout by taking advantage of as much existing right-of-way as possible for the improvement,” he said.

The public service director said the public comments also strongly urged “safe and functional bike and pedestrian accommodations,” and those options — including a possible multiuse path next to the roadways — will be explored during the next design phase.

As construction approaches, Mr. Shaw said, its schedules will be coordinated with local school calendars as well as the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association tournament normally held in August at nearby Highland Meadows Golf Club.