Some Bala Cynwyd residents are unhappy about the prospect of a multilane traffic-calming Belmont Avenue roundabout , writes Kevin Riordan for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

“There are no other two-lane roundabouts in Pennsylvania,” said Nanci Goldman, the Sutton Terrace Home Owners Association president. “We don’t want to be the guinea pig.”

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s has proposed $5 million reconfiguration. The roundabout aims to address concern among some officials in Lower Merion Township. The intersection offers limited visibility at certain points, and drivers often ignore the 25-mph speed limit.

While the officials agree that the intersection needs improvement, they view the proposed roundabout as a significant hindrance to pedestrians travelling from Sutton, the 11-story, 172-unit condominium building at the intersection. It will also affect residents looking to cross the St. Asaphs intersection.

In addition, they believe that the roundabout would compromise the township’s continuous efforts of creating an urbane, cohesive, and less car-dependent neighborhood.

“The state’s goal is to improve the safety of the intersection, and our goal is to create a safe, walkable environment,” said Christopher Leswing, the township’s director of building and planning. “We’re not that far off.”

Read more about the Belmont Avenue roundabout in The Philadelphia Inquirer.