[nfbmi-talk] Roundabouts in GR

[J.J. Meddaugh]

Grand Rapids traffic willsoon be going in circles
Monday, March 19, 2007
By Jim Harger
Gazette News Service
GRAND RAPIDS -- Get ready for roundabouts.
Later this year, city motorists will see the first traffic circles, where 
drivers
are expected to get through busy intersections without traffic lights and a 
minimum
of fuss.
City planners recently approved the city's first roundabout at Cherry Street 
and
Jefferson Avenue SE. Construction is expected to begin in June, Acting City 
Engineer
Rick DeVries said.
Another two will be built later this year as part of a street-widening 
project along
Wealthy Street SE at the Jefferson and Lafayette Avenue intersections.
Though full-sized roundabouts have been cropping up in other cities, they 
will be
new to Grand Rapids streets, DeVries said. The city has installed miniature 
roundabouts
aimed at slowing neighborhood traffic.
The new roundabouts will not only slow traffic, but also reduce fuel 
consumption
and delays at busy intersections, said Public Works Director Patrick Bush.
Instead of using traffic lights to stop vehicles, roundabouts allow 
motorists to
enter an intersection via ``splitter islands'' after yielding for traffic to 
their
left.
Once inside the circle, motorists are expected to continue without stopping 
until
they reach the street on which they want to continue.
Bush and DeVries said they plan to install landscaping and trees in the 
center of
the roundabouts -- objects large enough to slow oncoming motorists as they 
approach.
The roundabouts also will be large enough to accommodate large 
tractor-semitrailers
and fire and emergency vehicles, Bush said. They will include ``truck 
aprons'' designed
so truck wheels can ride up on the center island without causing damage.
Bush, who said he became familiar with the circles when he worked for the 
Connecticut
Department of Transportation, said he will continue to scout for 
intersections suitable
for roundabouts.

J.J.