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Construction nearly complete on roundabout

By Howard B. Owens

Batavia will finally get to see what a roundabout is all about starting Friday when construction of the Walnut Street project is finally finished.

No more construction cones or workers holding up traffic. Drivers will be able to navigate through the circle in real time and see if they like how traffic flows.

The roundabout will be closed Friday Thursday from 5 to 7 a.m. for a final repaving, and then the route will open Friday morning with no fanfare -- no ribbon-cutting, no speeches, no coffeecake and donuts -- you can just drive on it.

Amanda Rumble

Thanks for the heads up. I'll remember to keep avoiding it and take law street up Jackson instead from 98. That roundabout is going to cause more headaches for people than it is worth IMO.

Oct 28, 2009, 1:05pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

What I've experienced of the roundabout so far -- I like it. It's pretty easy and when I've been through at times when no work is impeding things, traffic seems to flow smoother than the old intersection.

Oct 28, 2009, 1:41pm Permalink

I grew up with roundabouts or circles as we called them in New Jersey. I have used them for so long that I guess I just don't understand the issues everyone has. I would say give it a few months and it will no longer be a problem.

I agree Howard, it is much better than what was there!

Oct 28, 2009, 1:55pm Permalink
Dave Meyer

I hope it works as well, but from what I've seen so far, they tried to put five pounds of crap in a two pound bag.
It seems AWFULLY tight for the semi trucks that will have to negotiate it. I don't think cars will have a problem but I'm predicting semis will.

Oct 28, 2009, 4:33pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

A truck that uses the roundabout properly -- driving on the red bricks, should have ample room to navigate through it.

Oct 28, 2009, 4:59pm Permalink
Tony Ferrando

I don't understand the issue either Phil. It's a roundabout, and they're painfully easy to navigate. But I can't say I'm shocked... as someone that lives on North Spruce, I can tell you that "One Way" is too difficult for people around here to figure out, and one of these days I'm going to get pasted in a head on collision just trying to get home.

Oct 28, 2009, 6:28pm Permalink
Bernie Thompson

As a transplanted Vermonter (Brattleboro) I have encounter many roundabouts driving in New England,they are not only easy to use but safe as well.Although I do believe ours has a design issue as far as the "Red Brick Circle" goes.All roundabouts that I have seen or used vehicles/semi's didn't have to drive on them,maybe the circumference shouldn't have been as large as it is?All in all we have it and once people get the hang of how to use it life will be again normal.
Tony I have the same problem only mine is trying to get into the post office parking lot with cars coming out of Tim Horton's but all Batavians are aware of that design gone wrong!

Oct 28, 2009, 7:07pm Permalink
Eric McManis

For Pete’s sake. You’d think they just installed a pool table down at the billiard hall and the kids were going to be hanging out trying Sen-Sen and cavorting with brazen women. We got trouble I tell ya!

Look, if the octogenarians in Stuart, FL can navigate Confusion Corner (http://www.swpsl.com/images/cc.jpg ) with little effort, then surely a town like Batavia can manage a simple roundabout without too much trouble. Add another road or two and an active train track, and then it gets interesting.

I was in Batavia a couple weeks ago visiting family and checked out the roundabout to see what all the fuss was about. I thought it looked rather nice. Now that the proper entrances and exits are complete things should run smoothly through there. It’s not a bad thing, just different… you’ll get used to it and in time wonder how you ever managed with all those stop signs. Just remember, yield to the vehicles in the circle but don’t wait until it’s empty to get in.

But then again the plows just might tear it to shreds. Lets see what it looks like in the Spring.

Oct 28, 2009, 10:13pm Permalink

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