Traverse City Record-Eagle

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July 28, 2010

Skeptics, enthusiasts debate roundabouts

Some people say they're great, some say they aren't

BY ART BUKOWSKI abukowski@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — The debate over a potential series of roundabouts along one of the region's busiest thoroughfares is building.

Some residents like the idea of putting up to five roundabouts on Division Street between 14th Street and Grandview Parkway while others are intensely skeptical, and folks from both camps offered their input this week when the city commission heard a presentation on the topic.

Engineering firm URS recently suggested roundabouts as a potential alternative for a long-planned revamp of Division Street. The circular devices could be placed where Division intersects 14th, 11th and Front streets, along with Grandview Parkway and a new "8½ Street."

Commissioners on Monday heard a pro-roundabout presentation from Ian Lockwood, a Florida-based engineer and "traffic calming" specialist who's worked on dozens of projects across the country.

Lockwood said roundabouts have a proven safety record, create a steady traffic flow and are "incredibly pedestrian friendly," among other benefits. He also said they're the "simplest way" to navigate an intersection.

Thousands of roundabouts exist in the country on roads of all speeds and sizes, and many have been tremendous success stories, he said.

But some in the community aren't convinced that roundabouts will work for Division Street. They worry that several roundabouts in close proximity could clog traffic along the state highway, and could lead to increased traffic cutting through residential side streets.

Lockwood acknowledged that roundabouts could lead to increased traffic on some residential streets, but said it's possible they could reduce drivers' desire to cut down side streets by improving Division's overall traffic flow. He's worked on successful projects where several roundabouts were placed close together to manage traffic flow, he said.

Okemos resident Barbara Hansen, who has property in the area, said roundabouts would be a "major mistake." She lives near one downstate, and said commissioners should have a first-hand look at roundabouts before making a decision.

"If you lived near one, you would never want one," she told commissioners.

Developer Ray Minervini, whose The Village at Grand Traverse Commons development would be affected by improvements to the busy intersection at Division and 11th streets, said he's in favor of a roundabout there.

Thousands of people work at Munson Medical Center, Grand Traverse Pavilions, the Commons and other facilities accessed by that intersection, he said, and it needs to be safer and more functional.

"It certainly makes sense to provide safe access to the largest area of employment in the city," he said.

It's likely city residents would have final say in a Division Street roundabout plan. Three of the proposed roundabouts would consume public parkland, which would need approval from city voters. Mayor Chris Bzdok said such a vote won't take place during this year's election cycle as a steering committee of residents and officials needs time to mull over various options for the street work.

"At this point I won't put a time frame on it ... to leave the steering group to do what it's going to do," Bzdok said.

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