INSTITUTE, W.Va. — There’s another traffic roundabout coming to Kanawha County.
The state Division of Highways has hired a contractor to construct a roundabout at the intersection of the I-64 Institute exit and state Route 25 in Institute.
West Virginia Paving will be paid $5.4 million to do the job.
DOH Engineer Dirar Ahmad said a roundabout that location will improve safety and reduce the potential for severe angle crashes.
“It reduces the potential for severe angle crashes, and keeps traffic moving efficiently without the need for a traffic signal. The project also eliminates the need to replace the existing bridge, which eliminates future bridge maintenance needs that saves taxpayers’ dollars.” Ahmad told MetroNews. ” As important, this eliminates the current existing bridge’s low vertical clearance for certain oversize vehicles to drive under the existing bridge ( low vertical -clearance issue).”
Ahmad said plans are to keep the area open to traffic during the construction period.
“Construction will be phased to keep traffic on the existing roadway network for as long as practical. Once the new roundabout is substantially complete and can safely accommodate traffic, motorists will be shifted onto the new roadway so the final connections can be completed,” Ahmad said. “This approach helps reduce disruption while maintaining access for motorists throughout construction.”
The first roundabout to open in Kanawha County opened last July on Jefferson Road in South Charleston. Ahmad said that roundabout has worked but that’s not the reason the Institute intersection was chosen for a roundabout.
“Each project is evaluated on its merits, based on specifics for each location, traffic flow, and all other challenges that are project / site specific,” he said.
Construction is expected to begin soon with a completion date of early-September 2027.
Ahmad wouldn’t say if there plans for more roundabouts in Kanawha County.
“That decision will be made on each specific location, based on needs, safety, challenges, scope and many other factors,” he said.