If things continue to run on schedule, Fulton drivers could be navigating their way through the new roundabout as soon as next week.
According to City Engineer Greg Hayes, the project is "still on schedule to be open by Dec. 16, or at least before Christmas."
"It should be open to traffic by then," Hayes said, noting construction on the roundabout and box culvert that replaced the Second Street and Memorial bridges is almost complete. "They may have a bit of sidewalk work and some trail work. They also have to put lights on the trail underneath the box culvert."
In November, a representative with the Missouri Department of Transportation had said project contractors were seeking an extension because utility work delayed demolition of the bridges. Because the construction had been running ahead of schedule, the roundabout still should be done on time. Hayes told the city council recently that the extension should cover more cosmetic aspects of the project.
"We're still looking at having the roadway itself open," he said. "They've been given a couple extra months to do the rest, things (such as) finish the trail and work on the center island."
With the box culvert and the roundabout almost finished, the focus now turns to what to do with that center island.
"We've got one economically-feasible design from the DREAM consultants - possibly some colored pavers," Hayes said. "Nobody really has come forward with any ideas.
"We could do anything as long as we don't put up something large and obstructive. I'm sure the mayor would welcome suggestions."
Mayor Charles Latham said the city still is waiting on the artistic rendering from the DREAM consultants - which is intended to tie the roundabout into the downtown area - and said he indeed "would love" to have citizen input regarding what to do with the spot.
"It can't be too solid or so tall you can't see through it," Latham said. "Whatever it is has to be something that won't encourage people to walk over and look at it."
Anyone with an idea as to how to landscape the center of the roundabout is encouraged to contact the mayor at (573) 592-3111.