Three years after money was earmarked, forward motion is evident on a plan to cut down auto-traffic hazards at Plymouth's main intersection.

State Department of Transportation officials are reviewing a study of alternative improvements that could be made at the juncture of Main Street, State Route 49 and Shenandoah Road, said Rebecca Lester, a city consulting engineer.

"Caltrans started review a couple of months ago," Lester said. "They've had a hard time, with stimulus projects, but in a couple of weeks they should come back with comments."

Then, a timeline will begin to run involving public comment that would culminate in a Plymouth City Council hearing in late fall or early winter, Lester said.

Grant money is being sought to supplement $1.3 million held by Plymouth.

"In 2006, we got an earmark from Congressman (Dan) Lungren," Lester said.

A roundabout intersection design would cost around $2.7 million to build. Costing around 21 percent more, $3.4 million, would be stoplight intersection with left- and right-turn lanes on each of the three roadways.

Alternatives are no project and a major repaving project.

"I'd like to see an upgrade - it would help the downtown," said Plymouth-based Realtor Michael Vasquez.

Vasquez said a roundabout "would be unique."

Many state departments of transportation, including California's, support roundabouts. Studies by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Minnesota Department of Transportation show that roundabouts provide the following when replacing stop signs or stoplights:

- a 90 percent reduction in fatal crashes

- a 76 percent reduction in injury crashes

- a 30 percent reduction in emissions and fuel consumption.