Public opinion divided on roundabout for Taft

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

County traffic officials are keeping a close eye on the new roundabout at Ziegler and Kechter Roads in south Fort Collins, which had its first big test during the opening week of school. A single-lane roundabout is also one of the options being considered for the North Taft Hill Road/West Vine Drive intersection, slated for improvement in 2007.

The county held an open house on Aug. 24 to explain the two options for the Taft/Vine intersection - a roundabout or a traffic signal - and to gather public input for the decision-making process. The engineering department will present its recommendation to the county commissioners on Sept. 18, with the commissioners making the final decision. There will be opportunity for public comment at the Sept. 18 hearing.

So far, public feedback has been evenly divided on the issue of roundabout vs. traffic signal.

The two intersections - Ziegler/Kechter and Taft/Vine - have similarities. Both crossroads have four schools in the vicinity, so traffic is heavy twice daily, at the beginning and end of the school day. Tony Rowland, a transportation supervisor for Poudre School District, said the new south-end roundabout is "working beautifully. It's keeping the traffic moving much more smoothly than a traffic signal could do."

At both intersections, officials are concerned about a smooth flow of traffic and also pedestrian safety, since some students walk or bike to school. Student safety is the first concern of the district, Rowland emphasized.

The four schools near the Taft/Vine intersection include Irish and Putnam elementary schools, Lincoln Junior High and Poudre High School. However, Rowland said, there is not a lot of pedestrian traffic at the intersection since most students in the area use PSD bus service.

According to Martina Wilkinson, a county traffic engineer, pedestrians are statistically safer with a roundabout than a traffic signal. She acknowledged, however, that "the public perception is different." She said the engineering department has looked at other roundabouts in the country that are located close to schools. "It takes some education and some getting used to," she noted.

The roundabout design calls for crosswalks at the four corners, where vehicles would be required to yield to pedestrians. One person at the open house, retired PSD teacher Leonard Jones, said he was concerned that junior high students wouldn't stay in the designated crosswalks.

With the roundabout option, bicyclists going through the intersection would have two choices: using the pedestrian crosswalks or merging with vehicle traffic in the roundabout.

Public comment to date shows that both sides have strong feelings about roundabouts. For instance, one person said, "I hate roundabouts with a passion. They are dangerous, confusing and difficult to navigate." A comment at the other end of the spectrum was, "I love the idea. I'm encouraged that it is estimated to lower pollution, congestion and save trees and landscaping."

The public's concerns about roundabouts include lack of experience with them, pedestrian safety issues and problems with aggressive drivers. Those favoring the roundabout cite efficiency, safety, a smaller footprint, lower pollution and lower speeds at the intersection. A roundabout is designed for traffic speeds of 20 miles per hour.

Cost is almost equal for the two options, estimated at $455,000 for a signal and $440,000 for a roundabout.

The county engineering staff had received 77 comments on the roundabout/signal issue as of press time. "We're weighing all the options, including what the public thinks," said Wilkinson. All comments will be forwarded to the county commissioners prior to the Sept. 18 hearing.

Wilkinson noted that the Taft/Vine intersection meets several criteria for making a roundabout a viable option. There are similar volumes of traffic in each direction, a high number of vehicles are making left turns, and there is enough space available for a roundabout. The county has already purchased two properties on the north side of the intersection, a move that was necessary for either a roundabout or a signal.

Most construction on North Taft is slated to occur during 2007. In addition to improvements at the intersection, the plan calls for a new bridge north of Vine Drive and paved shoulders for pedestrians and bicyclists.

To provide comment prior to the Sept. 18 hearing, people may contact Wilkinson at 498-5731 or mwilkinson@larimer.org.