Plans are in motion to add roundabouts to two intersections along Prairie Avenue in Post Falls.

"Roundabouts move traffic very efficiently and smoothly," Post Falls Community Development Director Bob Seale said Wednesday. "They are a great alternative to that four-way stop or the need for a traffic signal. They’re one of the safest types of intersections in terms of any kind of crashes. You don't typically see injury-type crashes at roundabouts. You’re moving at much lower speeds."

Construction at the future intersection of Prairie Avenue and Fennecus Road, a half-mile east of Highway 41, is estimated to begin this year. This multilane roundabout is part of the Jacklin North project that was annexed to the city in 2022 and currently includes a school and fitness center.

Another multilane roundabout at the intersection of Prairie Avenue and Zorros Road will be constructed a quarter-mile east of Highway 41 in 2024. This will be part of the Prairie Crossing Shopping Center being developed on the northeast corner of Prairie Avenue and Highway 41.

The Post Falls Transportation Master Plan identified a dual-lane roundabout at Prairie/Zorros location in its long-term project list. Development in this area is occurring faster than previously identified. The Prairie Crossing Shopping Center completed its most recent traffic impact analysis in 2021. The analysis compared the operations of a roundabout versus a traffic signal at the site and found that a roundabout would perform at an acceptable level of service and would not have a negative impact on the signal operations at Highway 41. The analysis identified that the roundabout would be needed in 2024.

Zorros and Fennecus roads do not connect with Prairie Avenue at this time.

The Post Falls City Council approved the dedication agreement of the future Prairie/Zorros roundabout between the city and Lakeside Real Estate Holdings II, LLC during its regular meeting Tuesday. The dedication agreement is the first of two steps in acquiring the necessary land on the south side of Prairie to accommodate the roundabout improvements. The second step will be the formal grant of right of way, which will take place after the final design for the roundabout has been completed and the final needed right-of-way requirements are determined.

The city is participating with the Post Falls Highway District in the Federal Aid Project to widen Prairie between Highway 41 and Meyer Road.

The roundabouts are expected to be built well before the anticipated construction date of the Prairie widening project.

The roundabouts are expected to be discussed Feb. 21 during the next Post Falls City Council meeting.