A rural intersection is getting a roundabout. Construction of a traffic circle at the junction of highways 8 and 22, north of Bragg Creek, will begin later this year.
It's expected by Fall 2007 drivers moving between the two roadways will enter the roundabout, drive counter-clock wise, and exit the circle on their right.
Trent Bancarz with Alberta Infrastructure and Transportation says its the best option for the nearly 7,000 vehicles that pass by the junction each day.
"The problem with the set of traffic lights was ithat it would only serve that intersection for a period of about five years," he said.  "We also, of course, looked at a full interchange, but the criteria that we use to decide when to build an interchange likely wouldn't have been met there for about twenty years."
He adds that roundabouts are safer than intersections, because they slow drivers down and reduce potential points of contact.  They're also less expensive than interchanges.  The project will cost $4.3 million compared to over $20 million to build and interchange.