Roundabouts near Skyline High are unsafe due to lack of lighting
Editor’s note: The following letter was addressed to the Washtenaw County Road Commission.
I am writing to urge you to expedite your negotiations and finalize an agreement regarding the maintenance of roundabouts in Ann Arbor. I have been told that a draft agreement is currently being negotiated relating to the roundabout near Geddes & US23 and that this agreement will be used as a template for the other roundabouts in the area. I am hopeful that you are already aware of the unsafe state of the three roundabouts on North Maple Road near Skyline High School. Several streetlights have been toppled by car accidents and other streetlights have been turned off due to the wiring exposed by the toppled lights.
As a result of the lack of proper lighting, Skyline students who navigate the roundabouts as pedestrians are put at serious risk every day. In addition to the inadequate lighting, the roundabouts also pose safety risks due to the poor sightlines caused by the elevation of the center islands and neglected snow plowing on the roundabout sidewalks.
We, the parents of Skyline High School students, urge you to quickly finalize the maintenance agreement for the roundabouts and immediately apply that agreement to the North Maple Road roundabouts so that our children can avoid these unnecessary safety risks.
Brian Mielewski Skyline PTSO President
Comments
mkw
Wed, Oct 21, 2009 : 1:51 p.m.
In my opinion, after traveling round-abouts in England, the roundabouts here are too small in circumference. They do not give drivers time to change lanes as they are required to do. I do agree that lighting and maintenance are important as well. But, to me, the main problem is their small size.