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| Cali Resident Cautions Against Roundabout Posting Date: 08-04-2009
(Letter to the Editor)
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Hi from Palmdale, CA, which is just about as far as you can get from Mesquite and still be in the Mojave desert.
CALTRANS recently completed a roundabout on the outskirts of our town (see link).
Think your article pretty well covered all the major points.
But in addition to the drivers that don't know how to drive the thing, I've already seen a couple of road rages by people stuck behind these drivers.
Contrary to what the CALTRANS link says, I don't think a pedestrian would feel comfortable crossing here, because when it's working right, no one is stopping or even slowing down much.
Plus, what business is going to want to locate on these "corners"?
An exit to their store would have to be a significant distance from the circle, or it's possible that the exit, if signed/signaled, could back traffic back into the roundabout.
Finally, the cost: $19.5 million.
Look at the picture again, and wonder how much a "traditional" intersection would have cost the tax payers.
http://www.dot.ca.gov/dist07/travel/projects/roundabout/
Thanks, and I check up on Mesquite almost every day.
-Steve Weaver
Palmdale, CA |
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| Commentary |
Posted Date: 08/04/2009
Thank you Steve for some more insight on roundabouts. It is funny that the COST of roundabouts was not brought up. $19.5 million for 1 roundabout???? Its nice that the city can throw away 19.5 million at a roundabout but cannt give some help to the sanatation department. The MAYOR would rather get a kick back from the contractor that builds the roundabout. The people have spoken LOUDLY. Can you hear us screaming NO_ NO!!! $19.5 MILLION DOLLARS Can I have a loan?? I dont need to pay it back right!!!
By: Dave G |
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Posted Date: 08/04/2009
I have already gone around and around on this joke of an intersection with cal trans and the city of palmdale and all i received from the mayors office and caltrans is how great this thing is and sent me a letter on how to use it. I have seen all kinds of issues there involving Big Rig trucks not having the room to safely use the radius and people having to dart out in front of traffic just to get in to the circle. I think it was a major waist of money and should have been built as a normal intersection. Cal Trans said that they will continue to be building more in the future and believe they never made a mistake on the design. Here's your California Tax dollars at work.
By: RANGERXP |
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Posted Date: 08/05/2009
Has anyone ever used a toundabout? What a joke. don't forget that there is a large population from Utah, they are among the rudest none driving people I have ever seen. I should know I lived there way to long. Fast isn't fast enough for most of them. can you imagine them in a roundabout?
By: googly bear |
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Posted Date: 08/13/2009
I am also from CA...well to tell the truth I am a transplant here! Any how...ROUNDABOUTS ARE ABOUT THE STUPIDEST THING CA HAS EVER IMPLEMENTED IN THEIR STREETS SYSTEM!! They are so annoying, and they have no use in no way shape or form!!! People get confused, and mad!! I am telling you Mesquite...they are a bad idea!!! Just talk to ANYONE in the state of CA!!
By: R C |
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Posted Date: 08/19/2009
I'm from California and now living in Europe. I love roundabouts. I see them almost exclusively in the UK. They save gas and smooth traffic flow. It is hard to understand why a roundabout would cost more than a traffic light or even a intersection with a stop sign.
By: Jeff |
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