by Judy and Jim Martin, Victor
Who thought of this CRAZY idea to put a roundabout on a U.S. Highway with a 70 mile an hour speed limit now! PLEASE, PLEASE, a simple 4-way stoplight is by far SAFER AND CHEAPER TO INSTALL.
We live east side of Hwy 93 and can see the highway from our home. The 18-wheelers and monster heavy duty equipment that is in the continual stream of traffic on this highway is unbelievable. You’ll have to build a roundabout bigger than the Daytona 500 for these huge semi’s and extra long vehicles that travel 93. We have not talked to one person that says “isn’t that a great idea!”
How can the highway department justify this outrageous decision to do this? There is nothing that you can tell us that will change our minds about this project.
All we can see is MORE accidents on 93 because of this highway roundabout proposal.
A stoplight at Bell Crossing and Hwy 93 could be synced up with the lights at Stevi and Victor to keep the traffic moving.
Bob Giordano says
There has not been a reported injury at any of the 16 roundabouts in Missoula. There are about 250 injuries- including deaths- at the Missoula traffic signals. None of the Missoula roundabout are multi-lane roundabouts however. A roundabout at Bell Crossing might lead to many fender benders and even some injuries; a traffic signal there would likely lead to many severe injuries and some fatalities. No easy solution when trying to manage highway and local motor traffic.
Bitterrooter says
“How can the highway department justify this outrageous decision to do this? There is nothing that you can tell us that will change our minds about this project.”
These 2 sentences show the basic problem with the current online anti-roundabout fever. There are reams of data and real-world case studies available on the benefits of roundabouts that are easy to find on the internet. Every objection I have seen online or heard has been thoroughly discussed, considered and addressed in modern roundabout designs. However, many opponents appear to take the stance that “there is nothing that you can tell us that will change our minds on this project.”
That is sad.
In the end, the decision of whether we have a roundabout or not boils down to a societal decision of how much roadside carnage we are willing to endure to avoid something that is new and uncomfortable.
Tom says
A stoplight and clearly marked turn lanes is much more sensible than a roundabout.