Drivers through Grand Ledge have to navigate a new roundabout on M-43 near the city’s middle and high schools.
The roundabout opened in late August on M-43 between Jenne Street and Brookside Drive. It was paid for by Grand Ledge Public Schools to give direct access from the state highway to Beagle Middle School and Grand Ledge High School.
Traffic previously had to go through residential neighborhoods to get to the schools.
Steven Gabriel, assistant superintendent for human resources and operations for the district, said he uses the roundabout almost daily and it’s accomplished the district’s goals.
“I find it very easy to use,” he said. “I haven’t had any problems or heard of any”
But Steven Elliott, who works lawn and garden store Hutson Inc. on M-43, is not a fan of the roundabout.
It may work great for the school, Elliott said, “but for the general public, not great.”
He said he has seen skid marks all over the roundabout in the weeks since it opened.
Some Grand Ledge students also said the roundabout has caused problems.
“Most kids don’t use it,” said Taylor Piper, a student at Grand Ledge High School.
Piper said the roundabout actually ends up slowing down traffic too much.
Student Adi Schroeder said she tries to avoid the roundabout when leaving school because it can take so long it makes her late for work.
“I have to leave class early,” she said.