Scottsdale may cancel roundabout project and could lose $31 million

Scottsdale is considering redesigning an intersection at Scottsdale Road and Dynamite Boulevard.

The City Council approved a roundabout initiative in September 2024. The decision was part of an effort to increase safety and reduce crashes. Now, the city may cancel the roundabout and use traffic signals instead.

However, the cancellation risks losing $31 million in grant money.

Councilman Barry Graham is against the roundabout.

“I hear all types of opposition to it. I hear from every type of constituent, from people from the far south to the people to the far north, young and old, and, you know, everyone in between," he said.

Graham said they don’t think a roundabout is suitable for its location.

Councilwoman Solange Whitehead says canceling the roundabout would not be a good idea financially.

“We're going to increase the cost to our Scottsdale taxpayers. We're going to decrease safety at this intersection, and we're going to forfeit $31 million, which is never a good idea for a city, even in good economic times," she said.

Whitehead says she also requested a work study session to allow for discussion on changes to the roundabout project. However, she says her request was rejected.

If officials chose to continue with another option, the city will need to undergo a fund reallocation process.