Richmond-area Street Beat
Teaser headline for section front: Annoyance with Midlothian Turnpike roundabout
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Q:Regarding the infamous and much-hated roundabout on Winterfield Road at Midlothian Turnpike -- what's going on? It appears that developer ran out of money and has left us daily Winterfield Road drivers stuck driving around the overgrown, unsightly and annoying circle. I'm still trying to figure out why the roundabout had to be the first thing constructed on this project, considering all the opposition to it. My question: Is there any way that the roundabout could be dismantled and the road put back to the wonderfully straight route it was before? Heh, I bet I could easily gather a bunch of very enthusiastic people and with our sledgehammers, knock that circle down in no time at all. It would be as dramatic and meaningful as when the Berlin Wall was brought down! Any chance of this happening? -- Gail C.Answer: Ich bin ein Midloather.
For those of you who don't know your history, you just missed out on a terrific pun.
I haven't heard that a lot of people loathe this roundabout. So I have sent off a question to the Virginia Department of Transportation to find out what is going on with the construction.
This being a holiday weekend, I haven't heard back yet, so I will keep you posted. Let's hear what the officials say before we start chanting, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this, ya'll."
I have, however, heard from a lot of people who are confused about why roundabouts are installed and how to navigate them. So here is a non-crash course, courtesy of VDOT and Richmond's Department of Public Works
Roundabouts:
- Reduce fatal crashes by 90 percent
- Reduce accidents with injuries by 75 percent
- Reduce bicycle wrecks by 10 percent
- Reduce pedestrian crashes by 30 to 40 percent
"Studies also show roundabouts are easier for new drivers and senior motorists to navigate because they have more time to judge and to react to other cars and pedestrians also in the roundabout.
"Roundabouts . . . help communities save money because, other than signage, they do not have traffic lights or other equipment to install or fix."
Also, "traffic moves continuously in a roundabout, which means there are fewer delays, stops and starts; and that helps cut down on noise and fuel consumption.
"Plus, they are not difficult to maneuver. Just remember, when you are entering a roundabout, always yield to the traffic already in the roundabout and pay attention to the signs."
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Q:In the May 31 Street Beat, you addressed the issue of bicycles sharing space with automobile drivers. Thank you for your response; however you failed to address the writer's primary argument: If cyclists want to use the roads, they should pay the same fees and abide by the same laws, including speed limit.I am a regular bicycle commuter and recreational cyclist. I also own a car and pay the same taxes that the writer pays, as do all of the riders I know. Most riders obey traffic laws and do not ride on roads with a minimum speed limit. I hope that you will address this misconception in your column. -- Miriam F.
Answer: Thanks for your comments. I'm always happy to give all sides of an issue the chance to share their views.
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Reader Reactions
If cyclist have to pay a fee to use the roads then so should the joggers and walkers that use it also. Let us be truely fair and equitable in our dealings with people who use the roads. I would like to see this so each jogger or walker would have to have some sort of sticker saying they have paid an appropriate use fee to be on the roadway.
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