Construction started this week on a roundabout at 21st and Urish.

Like most construction projects, it’s creating some problems for people.

Mission Township Fire Department usually takes Urish past 21st to get to the northeast part of the township, now they have to go 10 minutes out of their way.

There are other problems in the township because some drivers are cutting through neighborhoods instead of taking the detours.

“Some of our township roads weren't made for that traffic and they are narrower and some of them don't have curbs, many of the areas don’t have sidewalks and there are children out there playing and the field of view is not as well as some of the other streets that can handle the traffic flow,” said Mission Township Fire Chief Forrest Walter.

The township board decided to set up barriers in the Hidden Valley and Broadview subdivisions and officers from the sheriff's department were there to make sure only local traffic was going through.

“It will just be an educational process and once people figure out what they can do and what they can't do I think things will calm down if that’s the correct term,” Lieutenant Rich Mergen said with the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Department. “I think they will become a little more understanding and the people that don't live here; they'll find the appropriate routes to go.

Stephen Smith lives near the construction and wonders how his home-grown business will survive.

“We've got a big home-grown tomato business right here on 21st street in the summer and we have been doing that for 12-15 years,” Smith said. “I'm afraid it’s going to really slow down and hurt our traffic going through here.”

The project is estimated to be completed in November 2008.