TOLEDO, Ohio —
Major construction started at a busy Lucas County intersection on Monday.
Southbound McCord Road and westbound Bancroft Street will be shut down until Aug. 21. After that, the entire intersection will be closed for at least another 60 days to install a new roundabout, according to the Lucas County Engineer's Office.
"I think so far the county has done a good job. They've kept me informed," said Dan Shook, president and general manager of Speedy Clean Laundromat and Car Wash, which sits at the southeast corner of the intersection.
Shook said that while he has long-term concerns about the construction, he's just glad to remain open for now.
According to a map on the Lucas County Engineer's website, crews have installed 20 roundabouts since their first in 2009.
The plan is to add 16 more, including the one on Bancroft and McCord.
"It is one of the major ways that we deal with safety at intersections in terms of avoiding head-on and T-bone type crashes that cause most fatal accidents and serious injuries," said Lucas County Engineer Mike Pniewski.
Shook said speed is a safety concern, especially so close to his business.
"People think those curves in the roundabouts are a little bit like Indianapolis," he said.
In the meantime, he is just thankful that, for now, his business is still accessible.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct how long the intersection will be closed for.
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