UPDATE: Richmond will consider South Side, East End roundabouts individually
Richmond is tapping the brakes on a proposal to build roundabouts at four intersections in South Richmond and the East End.
A proposal submitted to City Council for approval of all four projects will be withdrawn and refiled so each of the projects can be considered individually, Sharon North, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Works, said today.
The council’s Land Use, Housing and Transportation Standing Committee has been scheduled to consider this afternoon whether to allow roundabouts at Belt Boulevard and Hull Street Road; and Forest Hill Avenue and Roanoke Street in South Richmond; and 25th Street at Fairmount Avenue and Nine Mile Road, and 23rd Street and Fairfield Avenue in the East End. North said it wasn’t immediately clear when the cases will be refiled.
Mayor Dwight C. Jones is recommending the projects, using $2.7 million in federal and state money. The roundabouts would be built with pedestrian crosswalk markings, handicap ramps and new signs, and be designed to reduce vehicle accidents caused by irregularities in how the roads align at the intersections, according to a report submitted to council members. Each of the roundabouts would be one lane, except for the one at Belt and Hull, which would be two lanes, North said.
The Land Use committee, which meets at 3 p.m. in the council’s chambers on the second floor of City Hall, is still scheduled to consider a proposal by Councilman Chris A. Hilbert to prohibit a roundabout at Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road.
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Reader Reactions
Oh and it’s called a rotary for all you locals who’ve never seen one.
They don’t work here because locals don’t know how to use them. They’re very common up north, especially in Mass. They do wonders in cutting down congestion at intersections and fewer severe crashes. It’s funny to see locals here approach one and fully stop when’s there no stop sign or anyone else nearby.
Oregon Hill has BEEN DEMANDING a roundabout for Idlewood. Please send a reporter to cover the issue!
It appears none of the previous commentors have been outside of Richmond. Roundabouts are fairly common in other states. I’ve seen quite a few out West (Arizona, Utah) and in some Eastern states (New York, Pennsylvania). I think are some in Virginia, but none that I have personally seen. So, no, they aren’t just in the UK or ‘quaint French villages’.
There have been many studies on Roundabouts, and they are actually much safer for drivers and pedestrians than regular intersections. First of all, you don’t have much of a chance of a head-on collision or direct rear collision. Also, traffic moves slower through them, just due to their design. Slower speeds means less severe accidents when they do occur. Not to mention they’re faster to get through in most cases.
I have to agree with sugarland! I, too, remember the circle at Belt Boulevard & Hull Street and it was always a mess! Can’t imagine, with the increased traffic of today, how it can be any better or safer!
Moonrider, I remember the circle at Belt Blvd. & Hull. It was a mess. One day, my mother saw my grandmother and aunt driving around it in the wrong direction! Traffic is much heavier now, so look out when driving aroung these things.
“Have you been to Chesterfield lately? How about Washington DC? “
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um have you been to Monument Ave, Lombardy St, or 25th St lately? They work great.
Interesting. I remember when the roundabout at Hull St. Road and the Belt Boulevard was turned into a “safer” conventional intersection. Circle Shopping Center got it’s name because there was a “traffic circle” there.
Roundabouts/traffic circles are simply specialized intersections that are safer to maneuver, once you learn how. They keep they traffic flow (moving), no stop signs or stop lights, traffic is slower but moving. They almost eliminate side impact crashes. They look nice too.
Now isn’t that stupid. If you want to see the supreme idiocy of road planning look at the “traffic circle” on Winterfield Road in Chesterfield. A dumber idea does not exist in this country. Now of course Richmond will follow that. Damage and injury will inevitably follow. These things belong in quaint French villages, not over here. The City’r problems are obvious. Lousy roads, too many potholes, lights not timed, etc. Fix those first!!!
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