El Paso County officials have finished construction on a pair of modular roundabouts along a one‑mile, two‑lane stretch of Furrow Road, just east of Monument. The project, completed last week, replaces earlier attempts to slow traffic on the hilly, winding road.

Location and design

The southern roundabout sits just south of Highway 105 at the Minglewood Trail intersection, while the northern one is located at the Lamplight Drive intersection, a short distance north of Higby Road. Unlike traditional brick and concrete circles, these roundabouts are built from prefabricated components bolted to the pavement, allowing for quicker installation and easier maintenance.

Purpose and expectations

County engineers say the roundabouts are intended to reduce the number of drivers exceeding the 30 mph speed limit. By forcing vehicles to navigate a circular path, the design naturally slows traffic without the need for additional signage or enforcement.

“The original countermeasures we used were very effective; however, we have researched and are piloting this prefabricated, modular roundabout product on Furrow, since this road was already identified as a candidate for this type of traffic‑calming improvement,” the county statement read.

Community response

Neighbors in the upscale residential area have expressed mixed feelings. Many residents are willing to try any solution that might curb speeding, but some remain skeptical. A few have voiced concerns that large vehicles, such as semitrucks, could damage the modular units. To address this, crews created buffer zones around each roundabout, giving larger vehicles extra clearance.

Other residents pointed out that previous measures—narrowing lanes to 11 feet and adding a walking/biking path on the west side—have introduced new challenges. Loose gravel from a median separating the path from the road has become a hazard, and some homeowners have taken it upon themselves to clean the debris.

Enforcement and monitoring

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has installed a speed‑monitoring device along Furrow Road to track compliance with the speed limit. Data from the meter will help officials assess whether the roundabouts achieve the desired reduction in speeding incidents.

Looking ahead

If the pilot proves successful, the county may consider expanding the modular roundabout model to other high‑risk corridors. For now, residents will continue to adapt to the new traffic pattern while the county gathers performance data.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.