A proposed roundabout to be installed at County Road 13 and Gayfer Avenue in Fairhope was a topic of conversation at Tuesday’s Baldwin County Commission work session, as commissioners agreed they had all gotten feedback from some nearby residents who were displeased with the proposed project.

Commissioner Frank Burt said he had received emails and had talked with residents who said they felt the roundabout would be more warranted at the intersection of County Road 13 and County Road 44.

“They’ve told me there is far more traffic at that intersection, and they feel a roundabout wouldn’t really be needed at the currently proposed intersection,” Burt said.

Commissioner Chris Elliott, who represents the Eastern Shore, said he had received the same complaints but told the other commissioners that the data doesn’t seem to back up the residents’ claims.

“The warrants we did indicated more traffic at Gayfer than at 44,” Elliott said. “So, I’m not certain that they’re accurate in the statistics that they’re quoting.”

Elliott also warned that delaying the project now could put the 80 percent funding being received from the state for costs.

“The cost to move that project south to where they’re suggesting could well be $200,000 in additional funds,” Elliott said. “That’s certainly cost prohibitive and there is a deadline on the use of the ATRIP funds we’ve been given for this that we have to consider. I understand where those folks are coming from, but I’m just not sure it’s feasible to move forward with that.”

County Engineer Cal Markert said his department could study the traffic patterns again if the commissioners requested it, but echoed Elliott’s claims that delaying the current project could cause problems.

“We feel good that it’s needed where it’s at,” Markert said. “In addition to the deadline on the ATRIP funds, a redesign to move it south would cost at least $120,000 and moving the utilities would likely be another $100,000.”

The commissioners decided to further study the matter and take the issue back up at a future meeting.