Highway Roundabouts

[Solstice]

We don't travel too often out of the Methow Valley but several destinations include navigating roundabouts. The Seattle Times currently has an informative article describing roundabouts in WA State and nationwide.

There are currently 607 roundabouts in WA State, the fourth highest number in the country. The national count has passed 11,000 and some states, including Washington, Wisconsin and Virginia, have adopted a “roundabout first” policy.

Nationwide studies find frequent fender benders at first, followed by long-term safety benefits, and sometimes reduced traffic delay.

Because drivers bend through at 15 to 20 mph, rather than zip straight through an intersection at 30 to 50 mph, severe injuries decline.

“They are excellent at reducing the likelihood of a bad crash — a fatality or serious injury,” said Scott Davis, the WSDOT engineer who oversees roundabouts. “First, they reduce speeds. And they reduce the number of conflict points, and they’re also, through geometry, bringing the driver’s attention back to where they need to be. You can’t really fall asleep and go into a roundabout. It takes away the possibility for a head-on collision.”

Are there currently locations in the Valley where a roundabout would be appropriate?

[Reapward]

Not at all.

[moose]

No thank you

[Pudman]

Ubiquitous in Europe and Asia and quite useful in American suburban settings but here? Colour me doubtful for a few reasons. 1. Not enough traffic to warrant 2. Americans are, to put it mildly, sensitive to anything (especially change) affecting their cars/trucks/roads/transport. 3. $ $ $ Who pays? 4. Even if one could find some possible locations expect mucho delay from NIMBY and local interests affected 6. How would any of this help the Pride of the Methow - the zonkey?

[Reapward]

At one time, maybe even last year, the Town of Twisp, on the budget expenditures page earmarked for some future time, a roundabout, was put in for 2027. But, last time I looked a red line was drawn through it. I think it lists who pays, which would be a DOT project.
It was to be placed at the Eagles, Glover St. intersection.
Maybe roundabouts slow people down, but the impatient ones, become frustrated by we slower, confused ones. And of course there are workarounds(Ha Ha) by driving through the residential neighborhoods,(like I do now on busy days, can you believe I am saying that?)
Added traffic in the neighborhoods wouldn't make them happy, I would think.

[RandySea]

The town of Twisp has been talking about one by Eagles because of the new development behind Hanks adding a ton of traffic to the Twisp-Carlton Rd. That intersection is already a problem without the added traffic. With more traffic, it will really be treacherous to bikes and families walking with children from the Twisp-Carlton Rd into town or to TwispWorks.

That doesn't mean a roundabout would improve things, just noting that it's being talked about

[jimbo]

I used to spend a lot of time in the UK. There are some terrifying roundabouts near Edinburgh, Scotland; the Cogar roundabout near the airport and the infamous ‘Sheriffhall Roundabout’ east of the city. Both had TWO 4 or 6 lane interstate-style roads AND 2 more 2 lane routes crossing all in the same place. Each were 6+ lanes wide, had stop/go lights on some entry/exits AND had interior lights controlling some lanes. First time I drove one by myself I was petrified, and thought I might end up crying in the breakdown lane! They probably are 2++ acres in size….but they need to be that big. Part of the problem in the U.S. is that not only do 95% of drivers not understand how to drive them….but the highway folks build them waaay too small….like the ones in Orondo.

The exit for the new apartment complex by not-Hanks…down Lombard street to the Twisp-Carlton road is going to make it much more difficult to make left turns onto or off of Hwy 20 from Glover street or Tw-Carlton rd. 72 apartments means probably 100++ more cars….if they each make 1 or 2 trips a day - that is 200-400+ trips a day through that intersection….probably at the same times everyone else is coming and going to work. Add in much more pedestrian traffic, too, I’d bet. There is going to have to be a traffic light or a roundabout, eventually. I recall reading somewhere that the traffic folks said a roundabout would probably require demolition of the front of the Eagles hall and using most of the grassy area, across Hwy 20, adjacent to Twispworks.

Jim Archambeault

[Reapward]

Yeah, the semi's at the first one outside of Wenachee just drive right over the area that is not supposed to be driven on. I don't fault them at all. Not big enough.
Hey how about that one over by Safeway on the Eastside. What a cluster!
Anyway, back to Twisp. It may not happen for some time. We can hope.

[Sunflower]

The backup behind somebody that is making a left turn onto the Twisp Carlton Road is not going to be fun. Best to get to "Hanks" early morning. For those coming into the Valley, well, ....they are going to have to patient.

[maremare]

Only if HWY 20 ever goes 4 lanes (eeghads!) & you want to still boast about living somewhere with no traffic lights.