BAYFIELD COUNTY - Numerous deadly crashes at a dangerous Northland intersection have prompted transportation officials to construct a roundabout.  Plans are in the works but residents who live near the Bayfield County intersection have mixed feelings.

Residents from the Bayfield County towns of Eileen and Barksdale came together last Tuesday for an update on the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's plans for a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and State Highway 13.  "Nobody really knows what's going on so I’m going to update them on where this project is, when it's going to begin," said Town of Eileen Chairman Marty Milanowski .  Milanowski organized the informational meeting to inform concerned citizens.  "I think people are more scared than anything; they just haven't been on a roundabout, me myself I I haven't been on a roundabout," said Milanowski.

The intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and State Highway 13 is said to be the most dangerous intersection in Bayfield County.  "It is a very confusing intersection," said Gloria Sajdak of the Town of Eileen.  Since 1994, there have been 4 fatalities and the DOT says the fatality rate at the intersection of 2 and 13 is higher than the state average.  The roundabout is their solution to stop the deadly crashes.  "Pretty much it's official, 2011 they will start the project and they hope to be done by September of 2011," said Milanowski.

The DOT says the $1.9 million dollar roundabout will be a single lane roundabout.  Drivers headed eastbound on U.S. Highway 2 or headed from Ashland to Washburn will be able to use bypass lanes to avoid the roundabout.  "I am against it," said Sajdak.  Sajdak says roundabouts are confusing and fears drivers will take State Highway 137 instead.  "I’m afraid if people don't like the roundabout, they will come on 137, it has very narrow shoulders, it has curves and I feel it is not a good detour road," said Sajdak.

Bill Lindsey of Washburn believes an overpass is the safest solution.  "I think you could build an overpass with almost the same amount of money they are going to spend on this roundabout," said Lindsey.  But Wisconsin DOT officials say an overpass would cost 3–4 times more than a roundabout.  "I think it's the best solution and I don't think there is any reason why it can't be done," said Lindsey.  Others just want something to cut down on accidents and save lives.  "I’m not going to come up here and say it's the best idea but I think it will work, I think it will get rid of the fatal accidents," said Milanowski.

FOX 21 spoke with 3 Wisconsin DOT officials over the phone who said they did not attend last Tuesdays meeting on the roundabout because they were not aware of it.

Construction is slated for 2011 and it's expected to be complete that same year.