The new roundabout, or traffic circle, which realigns Colonial Avenue and Penn Forest Boulevard in Southwest Roanoke County is finally open. The roundabout was first proposed several years ago and construction began in June. Originally set to open in August, it was delayed by rain and construction problems. The entire budget for the roundabout and associated road and drainage work was four million dollars. This is the first part of the project, with further roadwork and landscaping planned for next summer.
This roundabout is the American version, which is designed so that drivers yield to oncoming traffic going into the roundabout instead of coming out of it. The traditional English roundabout is a wheel design with a hub and spokes. The American version is the preferred choice of the Virginia Department of Transportation, according to spokesman Thomas Digiulian. He said that “according to traffic analysis, it works more efficiently in reducing traffic accidents and has less of a right-of-way impact on traffic.” As of today, there have been no accidents in the roundabout and traffic seems to flow smoothly.
VDOT spokesman Alex Price said it has been well received by neighbors. One neighbor sitting in her lawn chair watching traffic on a sunny afternoon said she was against the idea at first. She refused to give her name, but said she didn’t like the fact that the state took part of her front yard for the construction. “At least they put down grass seed and straw,” she said, admitting that she did enjoy watching people drive through it hesitantly. Roundabouts are meant to slow traffic as well.
According to Digiulian, traffic count in 2008 was 11,000 vehicles a day through that intersection; the projected traffic count for 2030 is 16,000 vehicles a day. That is why this intersection was judged the most urgent in need of a roundabout instead of a traffic signal. Roundabouts have been shown to reduce fatal and injury crashes by as much as 75%, due to the slower speed and reduced number of contact points.
Next summer VDOT will close the intersection for a short time to plant trees, junipers and lilies in the center island. On the apron and “splitter” islands, the current asphalt will be colored a light brown and will be inlaid with stone to make it more appealing. Further roadwork, including more realignment, straightening curves, grading and drainage work, is expected to close the road to traffic at some point next August.
When the new Roanoke County library opens on Merriman Road, a similar roundabout will be built. That project will be a revenue sharing venture between Roanoke County and VDOT. It will be contracted out by the County with bid requests to be sent out in the near future.
By Carla Bream [email protected]