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A Lincoln city councilman has proposed delaying construction of the controversial roundabout near 14th Street and Warlick Boulevard and diverting $19 million planned to fund it to street repairs across the city.

First-term Councilman Richard Meginnis said recent talk in the community about a petition to block the construction prompted his ordinance.

"That’s not the way I want to run city business," the Republican said.

The Lincoln Independent Business Association recently discussed the pros and cons of taking action to delay the project, but reportedly made no decision.

The city plans to seek bids soon on the $36 million elevated roundabout.

Meginnis said he wants to have full public debate on whether construction on the project should start in the next year at the same time as the state of Nebraska is set to begin construction of the South Beltway.

He wouldn't say Thursday whether he has the votes to pass this ordinance, which would be subject to a public hearing later this month.

As proposed, Meginnis' plan would remove the seven-intersection transformation from the city's capital improvement program, its approved schedule of large street projects with identified funding.