Roundabouts are popping up in Missoula and everywhere else.
The New York Times has the “everywhere else” story here, courtesy of Gwen Florio on the crime beat. (Yes, sometimes she must fee like it’s the Jason Christ beat.)
On the roundabout beat, here’s the deal. At first, some folks think the things are for the birds (See above. Unrelated story about a lot of birds at the Lee Metcalf Refuge here.) Then, they become apathetic. Then — hold onto your turn signal — public opinion tips in favor of the roundabout.
“Three years ago, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety published a study titled “Long-Term Trends in Public Opinion Following Construction of Roundabouts.” After interviewing 1,802 drivers in six communities, the researchers reported that, on average, only 34 percent had supported roundabouts in their communities before construction. But shortly after the roundabouts were in place, the number rose to 57 percent. After a year or more, the number increased to 69 percent.”
So Missoula isn’t the only place that suffers an occasional bout of xenophobia.
The latest roundabout built in Missoula is on Miller Creek. That’s in Ward 5, and Councilwoman Renee Mitchell said it seems to be working alright.
“I personally think that it’s going to be fine,” Mitchell said.
She said some folks have complained about the trees to Public Works, but she didn’t have the details at her fingertips. She herself wishes the road had been chipped and sealed this season, but that’s on the schedule for spring.
The construction involved acquiring easements in some sticky negotiations. Mitchell said she’s glad the disputes are settled and grateful to city engineer Kevin Slovarp and his colleagues for their brainstorming.
“I think his (Slovarp’s) mind worked overtime in figuring out how to lessen the damages to the properties,” Mitchell said.
(This addendum from @RunningMaggie: “A big shout-out to LS Jensen’s crew and WGM Group on the roundabout too!!”)
Mitchell views the roundabout as a good way to improve the road since a study ruled out a bridge to the area. (But Mitchell said don’t mistake her as having any affection to traffic circles. “I don’t have warm fuzzies for the traffic calmers, necessarily.”) The roundabout?
“As far as the functionality of it, I think it’s better than what was there. Personally, I’m finally glad that we’ve reached this point,” Mitchell said.
Me personally, I’m glad we’ve finally reached this point in the week. It’s Friday, thank goodness. IFTG.
— Keila Szpaller
