Marcus, Iowa (NorthwestIowaNow.com) — Regardless of your opinion on Roundabouts cropping up across Iowa, the safety they ensure continues the Iowa Department of Transportants push to install these at dangerous intersections around the state.

This spring, Cherokee County will get their first roundabout near Marcus. DOT Planner Sarah Tracy gives the timeline for the project.

While construction begins on the roundabout, there will be detours, but Tracy says the heavily used Highway 3 will stay open throughout.

Tracy also gave an update on the Highway 18 and Highway 71 roundabout project in north Spencer.

Tracy says they will continue educating the public on how to use the roundabouts, and answering any questions as they move forward with more construction where needed. But safety is still their number one benefit; Roundabouts reduce crashes by 40% by reducing the “conflict point” when vehicles crass paths.