Construction begins on Laurel/Maxwell roundabout in Brunswick

BRUNSWICK — A roundabout at Laurel Road and Maxwell Boulevard in Brunswick is under construction. Service Director Paul Magovac said the project has been talked about for several years, starting before he became the city's service director in 2024. "The biggest concerns that I was told about why this project was moving forward was No. 1, congestion at the intersection as well as accidents at the intersection," he said. Roundabouts tend to reduce the severity of crashes from high-speed crashes to minor fender-benders, Magovac said. "I do really believe the flow of traffic will improve immensely at the intersection," he said. "Just be patient. We're trying to do the best we can to get this job done." The following areas are affected by the project: Laurel Road eastbound will be closed between Coventry Drive and Pinewood Drive, and westbound traffic will be maintained. Maxwell Boulevard southbound will be closed at Chelsea Drive and will be detoured locally. Rocklyn Road northbound will be closed at Applewood Drive and will be detoured locally. The project duration for the Laurel/Maxwell intersection improvements project is about 180 days. Magovac said construction started before the end of Applewood Elementary School's school year because of the duration of the project. "This is going to be a six-month construction, so if we start at the end of the school year, it's also going to run into next year," he said. "The sooner we can get on it, the better off we are to get the full project done in this calendar year." The final asphalt coat may be the only part of the project not finished in 2026, Magovac said. "The intersection will be open if we don't get that far in the project," he said. In April, Brunswick City Council passed a resolution to enter into an agreement with Set in Stone Contracting LLC for the project in an amount not to exceed $1.2 million. The project will be partially funded by an Ohio Public Works Commission grant. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.