The Superior Town Council has approved a plan to design a one-lane roundabout at the intersection of Rock Creek Parkway and Coal Creek Drive to improve road conditions and pedestrian safety.

Rock Creek Parkway was built over 30 years ago, officials said. While town workers have done some work to maintain the road, it is now rated as one of the worst roads in Superior based on the latest roadway condition assessment completed in 2024, according to Superior town materials. Town officials this week awarded a design contract to engineering firm Kimley Horn and Associates, and the work is expected to cost about $207,000.

Christine Katz, civil engineer, said a one-lane roundabout in the intersection would make the crossing safer for pedestrians since it would decrease the distance to cross the road. Katz said a one-lane roundabout can handle up to 20,000 vehicles a day, and the Rock Creek Parkway and Coal Creek Drive intersection currently has about 7,000 vehicles daily.

The current roundabout at Coalton Road and McCaslin Boulevard, near the proposed roundabout, sees about 12,000 vehicles daily, according to Katz. She added that according to a survey, many residents were strongly in favor of a roundabout in the intersection.Town officials considered feedback from residents about whether a new roundabout at Rock Creek Parkway would be able to handle any future evacuation needs, Katz said. Many residents used the road to evacuate during the Dec. 30, 2021, Marshall Fire, which destroyed more than 1,000 homes in Superior, Louisville and unincorporated Boulder County and caused more than $2 billion in damage.

“We wanted to really reassure people that we’ve thought about it and are addressing that concern,” Katz said.

The roundabout will have a two-inch curb, which would allow for a multi-vehicle evacuation along the road if needed, Katz said.