WATERLOO -- The intersection of Independence Avenue and Raymond Road east of Waterloo has seen enough car wrecks over the years to make it one of the most dangerous crossings in the state.

Now officials with Black Hawk County and the Iowa Department of Transportation are hoping to remedy the situation with the state's first rural "roundabout" intersection -- a relatively new traffic control device proven to cut crashes by more than 60 percent and injuries by a whopping 82 percent.

But members of the Board of Supervisors were unable to pull the trigger on the project Tuesday after three property owners next to the intersection raised concerns about the loss of a portion of their land and whether the roundabout -- a circle that forces approaching traffic to slow down and merge into their direction of travel -- was even necessary.

"The most important advantage is eliminating T-bone crashes," said County Engineer Richard King. "People have run that stop sign (in place now), and that's where the injuries occur."

The DOT has awarded an $800,000 grant to help construct the state's 13th roundabout intersection and first in a rural setting based largely on the accident rate. Between 1998 and 2003, collisions at Independence and Raymond have caused $1.4 million in damage, several serious injuries and one death.

The county would be required to pick up an estimated $395,000 in costs for the project, which includes widening the approaches on both roads leading to the intersection. Without the roundabout, King said the county will still need to make an estimated $390,000 in safety improvements without any grant assistance, and the result would not be nearly as safe.

"It's just a $5,000 difference," King said. "If I can save one life at that intersection, I've done my job."

Hillary Isebrands, an engineer with the Center for Transportation Research and Education at Iowa State University, noted roundabouts were introduced to U.S. roadways in the 1990s and have been growing in popularity. Since all traffic must yield to vehicles driving around the center island, it lessens the severity of any crashes that may occur.

"There's very, very minimal chance that you're going to have a T-bone crash or a head-on crash at a roundabout," she said.

King has fielded questions about the proposed roundabout, including concerns about farm equipment being able to get through. It will, he said.

"Because it's new and different, it's scary," King said.

But the idea is facing some opposition from neighboring land owners. Two adjoining property owners, including Conrad Doan, attended a public hearing Tuesday and raised concerns.

"It just seems to me this has been over-engineered from the standpoint of dollars and simplicity," Doan said. "There's three other landowners at the intersection who should have something to say about it."

Resident Lisa Bartholomew wondered whether accident rates had already improved after the county bought and demolished two buildings at the intersection.

"I came here with an open mind," she said. "I have not formed an opinion about this."

The supervisors tabled action on a final design contract for the roundabout and agreed to set up another public hearing at a future date.

"We've got to give the right to the property owner to voice their opinion," said Supervisor Scott Jordan."

Supervisor Frank Magsamen added: "I think this is a worthwhile project. I think, overall, the safety and flow of traffic will be improved. I think we'll have a lot more of them in the future."

Contact Tim Jamison at (319) 291-1577 or tim.jamison@wcfcourier.com.