Road planned in a roundabout way
Panel thinks public will come around to 27th Street concept
Franklin — A committee made up of Franklin and Oak Creek officials is betting that the public will learn to accept roundabouts, given time.
That factor, combined with the perceived benefits of roundabouts over traffic lights, has led to the 27th Street Steering Committee's decision to urge the state Department of Transportation to install several roundabouts as part of future reconstruction of 27th Street.
The roundabouts would not be installed until 2014 at the earliest. By that time, they will be more common and residents will be used to driving them, committee members said.
Reasons favoring roundabouts
The committee last week heard from engineering firm and infrastructure specialist HNTB Corp. about the advantages and disadvantages of roundabouts at busy intersections along 27th Street in Oak Creek and Franklin.
In areas such as safety, environmental impact and traffic flow, roundabouts are superior to the traditional stoplight-controlled intersections, said Mark Kaminski, HNTB senior planner.
Vehicles must travel slower through roundabouts, which improves safety, he said. Fewer idling cars cuts down on air pollution and the lack of traffic signals keep vehicles moving to help the traffic flow, Kaminski said.
The cost of construction is roughly the same, though roundabouts would be cheaper over the long haul as utility costs are cut with no traffic signals, he said.
Differing opinions
The toughest challenge lies in the court of public opinion.
Some residents and business owners, in this area and elsewhere, have been vocal in their opposition to roundabouts. But HNTB officials said many more roundabouts are planned throughout the state, and they predicted opposition will decline as drivers learn to navigate them.
Franklin Alderman Steve Olson has noticed that happen already in his city. Concern about roundabouts died down when one was installed on Drexel Avenue, he said.
All three voting members of the committee - Olson, Oak Creek Alderman Tom Michalski and Marie Myszkowski, a member of the Oak Creek Community Development Authority - voted in favor of a resolution supporting roundabouts.
The committee recommended the common councils also adopt resolutions.
It was unknown when the state Department of Transportation will make the final decision on 27th Street roundabouts. Construction of 27th Street between College and Drexel avenues is slated to begin in 2013.
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Should the DOT install roundabouts on 27th Street? Share your views in our interactive community forum.
FranklinNOW.com
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Should the DOT install roundabouts on 27th Street? Share your views in our interactive community forum.
FranklinNOW.com
OakCreekNOW.com
Should the DOT install roundabouts on 27th Street? Share your views in our interactive community forum.
FranklinNOW.com
OakCreekNOW.com
Should the DOT install roundabouts on 27th Street? Share your views in our interactive community forum.
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