Roundabouts Make Them Frown

By: Mr. Wilson on October 7, 2011
Residents in the vicinity of the soon-to-be-constructed roundabout at 14th and Superior are fired up. As a result, the City has pushed back the start of construction so that a meeting can be held. I'm not sure what good a meeting does at this late stage in the game. Plans are made, contracts are signed. But hey, whatever makes folks happy. I haven't quite figured out what area residents are so fired up about. Part of it is the roundabout itself. I would understand their complaints better if roundabouts elsewhere in town hadn't been so successful. In fact, I know several residents near 48th and Pioneers who nearly rioted because that intersection isn't getting a roundabout. Sure, the two-lane style roundabout at 14th and Superior is unusual for Lincoln, but addressing that issue is a simple matter of public education. Millions of drivers around the world have figured out multi-lane roundabouts; I'm sure we can figure it out, too. But I'm not sure if the roundabout is the lead complaint. There are also some odd sidewalk and bike path issues associated with the project. I think some parents are worried that because the sidewalk goes under the street, it is therefore more dangerous and more likely to be used by folks who are up to no good. I suppose that's possible. If it comes true, however, it would make that neighborhood stand out relative to the rest of Lincoln. There are many tunnels around town and, other than the occasional bit of graffiti, I'm not aware of any widespread safety issues. Perhaps these two complaints are more serious than I know. Or perhaps there are other complaints I'm not familiar with. I would love to hear more about it -- hence the public meeting. In the mean time, can any of you in the know fill me in?

Comments

See what your friends and neighbors have to say about this.

George
October 7, 2011 at 4:02PM

My husband works down at the University.  They have just finished up 2 new roundabouts by the stadium.  I know how to use them.  I use my turn signals, I get in the lane I need to be, I don’t cut anyone off.  However, there has yet to be a time that I’ve used those roundabouts that someone else, who does not know how to use it, has almost hit me.  I don’t see it as an issue of IF someone will eventually hit me.. it’s WHEN.

I have grown kind of annoyed by the comments like “roundabouts elsewhere in town hadn

Errandbug Restaurant Delivery
October 7, 2011 at 6:58PM

should not even get me started on this…roundabouts are NOT the problem.  It is people in general do not know how to use them.  sure people in the area learn them quick…it is the folks that drive up on it the first time and sit there and do stupid stuff. 

I use the ones by the stadium constantly.  These particular ones I have seen folks turn the wrong way…yes even with HUGE signs with HUGE arrows.  All ages and all sexes have issues. 

Sure once you have been through it a few times you very well understand it…that is not the issue at all.

Errandbug Restaurant Delivery
October 7, 2011 at 7:02PM

And secondly…a bridge with exits like on every interstate would work best there.  There is a reason why interstate highways do not have roundabouts.  Just put a bridge there with exits.  everyone knows how to use those pretty well without having to be “educated”

steve
October 8, 2011 at 2:33AM

I find it interesting that the police reports for Husker Saturdays (9/10, 9/17 and 9/24) show no accidents reported at either of the new, 2 lane roundabouts.  Whereas there are several accidents at traffic signal controlled intersections (33rd and 0, 19th and P, 16th and Vine).  Obviously there are a lot of people (local and out-of-towners) who have figured them out.

George
October 8, 2011 at 3:51AM

Well, that is one theory.  It could also be because of the more obvious.. that the cars are moving so slowly that if you do get into an accident no one stops because they know that there isn’t a chance in heck that there is damages.

Have YOU driven those roundabouts yet?

steve
October 8, 2011 at 10:39AM

Of course I have and they’re no different in my view than any other intersection.  If i know I’m turning left at a regular intersection I certainly am not going to be in the far right lane a block before. 

And isn’t it kinda silly saying that no one stops because cars are moving so slow?  I move slow through a parking lot, and if I had an accident I sure would stop there.

Karin Dalziel
October 8, 2011 at 1:54PM

I had not considered kids crossing- after looking at the map, I think you are right - kids *will* cross in the roundabout. I don’t understand why they put the two underground crossings where they did- is there that much foot traffic coming up the north side of superior? It seems like one on the east side of the intersection would get more use.

Just Me
October 10, 2011 at 3:58AM

If I remember correctly they selected the tunnel locations based on the elevation of the area. For example the parking lot in front of Ace is already lower then 14th street. This also true for the area at the northwest corner of the intersection.

George
October 10, 2011 at 2:13PM

My husband and I talked further about thit over the weekend.  The argument by others that neighborhood is against all roundabouts is short cited.  I am guessing that if you went to these same folks and said “We are going to put a roundabout in an area where there is not a school nearby and we will utilize overpasses instead of tunnels, the response would be a lot different.  I think these neighborhoods see what others aren’t, because they have a personal stake in the situation, their children (or future children).  Teaching Lincoln how to use roundabouts is fine, but not at the expense of children.  And when they city does not look at the lowest common denominator on who is going to be using this area, the kids (who are not going to want to follow the rules), it makes a lot of people very uneasy, and for good reason.

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