NICE, Calif. – Drivers passing through the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff in recent weeks likely were detoured due to work crews making improvements at the roundabout in Nice.

The roundabout, located at the intersection of Highway 20 and the Nice-Lucerne Cutoff, has been functional since last September. It was put in place as a traffic calming measure at the busy Northshore intersection.

However, recently it was the site of some additional work, which Caltrans spokesman Phil Frisbie said included sealing the concrete pavement with a polyester based sealer which stops water from penetrating the surface and extends the life of the concrete.

It’s the same sealer used on all concrete bridge decks, Frisbie said.

Frisbie said the the center of the roundabout is being enhanced because water-soaked soils put too much pressure on the decorative concrete wall – which features drawings of fish – and caused some cracking.

He said the cracked sections are being replaced, and the entire surface will be treated with an anti-graffiti coating because it already has been tagged once.

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