The Dartmouth Department of Public Works could build the town’s first roundabout, along with other improvements to Dartmouth Street under a new proposal.

Dartmouth Street has undergone two improvement phases thus far under the Dartmouth Street Improvement Project, but the current project—targeting the stretch of Dartmouth Street between Howland and Middle streets, and the section of Prospect Street between Middle Street and Elm Street—is still in a conceptual stage, said Director of Public Works David Hickox.

The project could result in Dartmouth’s first roundabout, reducing driver confusion at the five-way intersection between Middle, Prospect, and Dartmouth streets in Padanaram, said Hickox.

“The roundabout would make [the intersection] more functional and aesthetically pleasing,” Hickox said. Traffic in the area is currently controlled with stop signs.

Other objectives for the area include improving safety and rehabilitating the pavement and roadway, said Hickox. Shared bike lanes and handicap-accessible sidewalks would be added to both sides of Dartmouth and Middle streets, which currently have either one sidewalk or none at all.

Hickox estimated the project cost to be about $4 million, and said the DPW is currently exploring state funding through transportation improvement funds. However, as the project is still in the early stages of planning, funding and engineering are still being determined, he added.

Three years ago, the stretch between Rockdale Avenue and Rogers Street faced construction. Last year, a second phase of work was completed between Rogers Street and Howland Street.

The Department of Public Works will host an informational meeting to discuss the third phase of the Dartmouth Street Improvement Project on September 15 at the Select Board Meeting Room in Town Hall at 6:30 p.m.