Gwinnett County is set to begin construction of two roundabouts in the near future — one at Ridgedale Drive and Pharrs Road in Snellville and one at Venture Drive and Day Drive in Duluth.

In addition to the roundabout, the $1.4 million Ridgedale Drive project also includes installation of right-turn lanes on both approaches of Ridgedale Drive at North Road. The construction is funded by the 2014 and 2017 SPLOST programs and the city of Snellville. The $2 million Venture Drive roundabout will include a second eastbound through-lane on Venture Drive and will lengthen the southbound left-turn lane at the intersection of Venture Drive and Steve Reynolds Boulevard. The project is funded by the 2017 SPLOST and the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District.

Roundabouts are becoming a popular alternative to four-way stops because they can keep traffic moving and are safer. Roundabout accidents tend to occur at an angle instead of T-bone collisions, and the island in the center of the roundabout provides a safe haven for pedestrians trying to cross the street.