Roundabout construction begins at Stony Creek and Whittaker in Ypsilanti Township
The first small clusters of orange construction barrels and cones are up around the intersection of Stony Creek and Whittaker roads.
They signal the start of a massive construction project to turn the Ypsilanti Township intersection into a roundabout, which will take roughly three months to complete.
DTE employees reroute utility lines along Stony Creek Road last week.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
The much-debated $1.5 million effort will mean the temporary closure of Stony Creek Road for nearly a month and the complete closure of the entire intersection for up to 35 days from mid-May through mid-June.
In an effort to inform residents on the logistics, the Washtenaw County Road Commission is holding an informational meeting tonight at the Ypsilanti Township Civic Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cheryl Soderholm-Siddall, assistant director of engineering for the Road Commission, said the intersection is one of the busier in the county and has a significant number of crashes because both roads curve into the “T.”
Further complicating the intersection is the entrance to a small professional plaza on its east side. Soderholm-Siddall said the roundabout will improve the intersection by reducing congestion and the potential for accidents, while increasing traffic flow.
“The roundabout is a type of intersection that requires slower speed and forces drivers to slow down, but the traffic movement is continuous, so you don’t see back ups,” she said.
The road commission is heading the project. Phase one is set to begin April 12.Â
Soderholm-Siddall said Stony Creek will close down within several days and remain shut until near the beginning of phase two, scheduled to start in mid-May - though there is no set target date.
The project received $550,000 in funding from developers who committed to help pay for road improvements when they sought permission to build. The remaining $950,000 will come through federal funds available from gasoline taxes via the Surface Transportation Program.
The intersection’s closures will reduce the length of the construction, which Soderholm-Siddall said is the reason the road commission opted for temporary closures instead of keeping it partially open under construction for a longer stretch.
She said officials heard it was the preferred approach from the business community, and construction crews will be working an expedited schedule. That means overtime and weekend work to complete the project as quickly as possible.
“In this case, we felt it was important to keep the timing of project as tight as possible to minimize the impact on surrounding businesses,” Soderholm-Siddall said. “If we’ve already closed traffic to one direction, we felt it was better to have a full, short-term closure and be in and out as fast as possible.”
According to Southeast Michigan Council of Governments statistics, the intersection had 74 reported accidents from 2004 to 2008.
Soderholm-Siddall called that figure high and said the situation needs to be addressed due to the “odd geometrics” of the intersection and the grade. She said the roundabout is a good solution for the intersection’s layout.
“The way you have the roads coming in at a curve to the intersection, and with the land uses in the immediate area, we think this is going to work well,” she said.
During phase one of the project, construction crews will install “splitter islands” which direct traffic in and out of the roundabout, and make adjustments to the grade.
Phase two will involve completely tearing out the remaining intersection, lowering it by several feet, installing the sewers and putting in place the actual roundabout and splitter islands. No exact dates are available, but the contractor has 35 days from the start of the phase two to complete the project.
Soderholm-Siddall said all that remains after phase two is equipment cleanup, reseeding grass and light work that won’t cause any closures.
When the intersection reopens, drivers approaching it southbound on Whittaker will first encounter the splitter island, directing them to the edge of the roundabout. Soderholm-Siddall said vehicles inside the roundabout have the right-of-way, so a motorist must stop and wait for a safe space to enter.
She said because of the relatively slow speed of traffic going around the roundabout, finding a slot to enter won’t require a long wait. Once in the roundabout, the motorist has the right-of-way and three options - exiting westbound on Stony Creek Road, going halfway around the roundabout and continuing south on Whittaker Road or fully going around the circle and heading north on Whittaker.
Not all area business owners are convinced of the advantages of the roundabout.
Lee Phillips, who owns the Stony Creek Coney Island in the Paint Creek Shopping Center at the intersection’s northwest corner, said he opposes roundabouts in general and is particularly worried about the construction’s impact on his business.
Phillips is concerned he will see few if any of his Milan customers who use Stony Creek Road to access the plaza during the closures. He suggested leaving the intersection as it is and reworking the traffic signals to better improve traffic flow.
“You might have noticed in the last couple years, there have been a lot of layoffs in Ypsilanti,” he said. “Because of that, business is slow. Just the economy has had a big impact, so this is not going to help it at all. After it’s done, I don’t know if it will increase the traffic.”
Preparation for the roundabout is already under way.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Phillips is employing several tactics to drum up business while the intersection is closed. He said he will be heavily promoting the expanded portion of his menu.
He is also holding several fundraisers and events to attract customers. Next Tuesday, he is holding a fundraiser for Ypsilanti Lincoln’s Split Dimensions Choir, which is headed to New York to perform in the finale of the “Ragtime” production and on the Today Show. Fifteen percent of all orders after 2 p.m. will help pay for the choir’s trip.
“Those are the kind of attractions that will overcome the inconvenience of the circle, or
‘circus roundabout,’” Phillips said.
Heather Grant, general manager of Aubree’s Pizzeria & Tavern in Paint Creek Shopping Plaza, supports the roundabout. She said her restaurant has a good view of the congestion and regular fender benders.
“In the long run, it’s going to alleviate a whole lot of traffic problems,” she said. “It’s human nature not to want change, but this change that’s coming is a good one.”
She acknowledged it may mean a temporary slowdown in business, but said it’s good for everyone in the community.
Residents can access the CVS on the south end of the intersection from temporary driveways on the closed intersection’s south side. Motorists entering the professional plaza at the intersection’s east side will do so from a temporary driveway to the north.
The posted detour will take motorists headed south on Whittaker east on Huron River Drive to Textile Road. They can then proceed west on Textile Road back to Whittaker Road.
Soderholm-Siddall acknowledged some apprehension and opposition in the community exists over the roundabout, but said she believes once the results are there, most people will be pleased.
“A lot of people are unfamiliar with roundabouts,” she said. “Once they become more familiar and drive through a properly designed roundabout, there will be greater comfort and the general opposition will begin to subside.”
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Susan Schwartzenberger
Sun, Mar 28, 2010 : 9:47 p.m.
I live south of Textile and use Stony Creek Road to get to and from my job in Paint Creek Crossing. I am eager for the traffic improvement the roundabout will provide, even though the construction period will be a total pain. The business I work for voted for the total closing of the intersection for a shorter period of time rather than keeping it open to northbound Whittaker traffic only, which would extend the construction for a longer period. Southbound lanes would have been closed and traffic detoured with either option. The traffic study conducted as part of the road improvement shows that the one-mile stretch of road between this intersection and I-94 has 30,300 vehicles daily. It is one of the busiest roads in Washtenaw County, almost twice as busy as Jackson Ave in Ann Arbor. The average driver might not think there are very many accidents at this intersection, but those of us that spend all day in the plaza can tell you that we see alot of emergency vehicles responding to crashes. Way too many people turning illegally into and out of the south exit cause alot of problems. (If each of those drivers were ticketed for breaking the law, the police AND the school districts in Washtenaw county would not have to worry about cutting funds!) The Ridge Highway in Lenawee County and Stony Creek Road are used as the major corridor for traffic coming from the southwest (Adrian, Tecumseh, etc) heading to the car factories or points east, and it all funnels into this intersection at Whittaker. New residential development in Ypsilanti and Augusta Townships, and the Milan area, including York Township, has also contributed to the traffic load over the past few years. In addition, northbound traffic from south of the river and I-94 has only three road options: Huron/Whittaker, Bridge Road (by the Ford Rawsonville plant,) and Rawsonville Road. Poor design of the entry/exit driveways of Paint Creek Crossing and the traffic patterns within the plaza just add to drivers' frustration. All of these factors make both morning and evening rush hours incredibly frustrating. A roundabout intersection will help keep traffic moving, slowly but continuously, through this congested area. I occasionally walk across Stony Creek or Whittaker to CVS or Quantum Physical Therapy, and the current intersection is very dangerous to pedestrian traffic! The southbound traffic turning right onto Stony Creek is not used to seeing pedestrians there, so evidently the law requiring that vehicles yield to walkers can be ignored. The roundabout will slow traffic and provide an safe island for pedestrians before they have to watch for the northbound traffic. Drivers unwilling to sit idle at the light often speed up through the yellow light and go off the road at the curve in Whittaker. There are a lot of tire tracks ridges in that grassy area in front of CVS because the drivers lose control at 45-50-60 mph! The best thing each of us can do is take a few minutes to learn about engineered roundabouts, which are a completely different thing than the old "circles", also known as "free-for-alls." Helpful hints: 1. Slow down! The speed limit is 15 mph in the entire intersection. 2. Read the signs - get into the correct lane BEFORE entering the circle and you will exit exactly where you want to be. 3. DO NOT CHANGE LANES WHILE YOU ARE IN THE CIRCLE - get in the correct lane before entering. 4. Be tolerant of people who panic or get confused in the circle. Give them more space rather than crowding them. You can feel smug about your knowlege and their lack of it, but just be nice for a few seconds. 5. Educate your friends and family about roundabouts and pretty soon it will be smooth sailing for all of us. When the economy picks up, the owner of Paint Creek Crossing has promised to build a road from the curve of Stony Creek (at the Moose Lodge) north to the extension of Huron River Drive at the existing light. He is also planning on residential housing to the west of the new road. This will reduce most of the Stony Creek traffic in the roundabout, as well as allow traffic within the center to "go out the back way," but that solution is in the future. Please continue to support the shops and services in the Paint Creek Crossing whenever possible. Except for Kroger, these are all individually-owned small businesses, who rely on local patronage.
eyeloveypsi
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 12:52 p.m.
jbhuron - your accurate observation also makes the point that several are trying to make - traffic circles are confusing for many of us. Maybe they shouldn't be, but they are.
jbhuron
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 12:27 p.m.
What is so tough about following a road sign? I go through the Geddes/Superior circle daily. I am still amazed that the amount of people that stop in the middle of it. There is nothing that says stop once you enter the circle, but people do. Just follow the signs. I often wonder if these same people stop randomly in the middle of other roads with no signage to stop.
eyeloveypsi
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 11:45 a.m.
glimmertwin - do you realize you used "township planners" and "thought process" in the same sentence? I believer that's a first... This really is a very dangerous stretch of road with no safe way to turn left out of the shopping center (can anyone explain why the speed limit is 45 there?). I don't know if the roundabout is the answer or not, I know they have been challenging and confusing for me when I've encountered them in the east.
frozenhotchocolate
Fri, Mar 26, 2010 : 1:20 a.m.
Technically, if you can't maneuver a round a bout based on the signs given, you would fail a state driving exam. At first they seem annoying, but they actually mitigate traffic well, and most importantly highly reduce high speed collisions.
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 10:59 p.m.
@Spyker: Thanks for the technical info. Do you happen to have any statistical comparisons? @Paul the Malcontent: People in China have a Zen approach to driving in general.... It's called "informal free-for-all with unenforced traffic regulations". I suppose we could try that here but having seen it in China I'm not so sure it's a good idea....
Paul the Malcontent
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 10:57 p.m.
Great informational/how-to video with WJR's Paul W. Smith: http://wcroads.org/news/roundabouts/RndAbouts-SWFs/All%20About%20Roundabouts.swf (link originally posted by user Burt_Reynolds on Dec 6, 2009, to http://www.annarbor.com/news/work-begins-on-3-new-roundabouts-at-geddes-road-and-us-23-in-ann-arbor/)
sportsfroma2
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 10:32 p.m.
This roundabout sure seems like it will be very 'interesting.' I get the theoretical benefits, but I'm not sure how they translate to the real-life situations. I also agree with the problems turning out from the shopping center (or even the post office right here), already there's a long wait for a significant break in traffic, and with the roundabout that will certainly get worse. Seems like they should also institute "Michigan-lefts" north of the roundabout on Whittaker road to alleviate this problem. I've always found those to significantly speed up the process of turning left on congested roads like this (Eisenhower pkway @ briarwood, or telegraph throughout Oakland County, for example). And big picture-wise, there needs to be a signal light @ Textile + Stoney creek, the knuckleheads who don't know how to operate a 4-way stop back that up like nothing else. Just seems like the traffic pattern for that entire area is a giant cluster____ and should've been improved long before the shopping center was built.
Skeet
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 10:17 p.m.
it's cool. if you learn it it works. What else can they put over there, though? They tryin' to be big time city folk wit' they big o' circle street and they fancy library and they new shoppin' center and the home of the future spca site or whatever. I wonder what alternatives were shelved in favor of this idea. and why. if I had better ideas about the money spending I would try to get on the city council or something...
Paul the Malcontent
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 10:09 p.m.
I find a Zen approach works best when you encounter roundabouts; just go with the flow and it's amazing how you just breeze through. The biggest issue is people overthink (or want to overthink) their way through them. I'm still regularly left wondering if I've actually utilized them correctly, but I always seems to make it through fine. My first encounter was the multiple roundabouts @ US-23 and Lee Rd., which are daunting the first few times one experiences them. I successfully got through the first one coming off the exit ramp and thought I had it made; then all of a sudden there's another one, and then another one after that!! I made it to where I was going though. Just remember...ZEN!!
Jed I Knight
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 9:43 p.m.
Roundabout = Epic Fail.
Steve
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:14 p.m.
This is the most incompetent solution possible! Most people on the road already have trouble following traffic patterns that have been used for decades. There is absolutely no way that this will better the flow of traffic. With the amount of traffic that already turns into the paint creek shopping center, this will further congest the left and right lanes of Whittaker heading towards Stoney Creek. Saline's high school was built in 2004 and roundabouts were implemented in their campus drive. I think it is fair to say that the majority of the traffic on that drive, consists of people who regularly use it. To this day it is not uncommon to arrive at one of the 2 roundabouts on that drive, and have to wait for the vehicle with the right-of-way to realize they have the right-of-way!! If people will have time to "get used to" this roundabout, then people have likely already gotten used the the concept of slowing down for the obvious curves before the intersection! Dumb! What a waste of a lot of money and what an incredibly unnecessary inconvenience!!
Nikki
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:46 p.m.
Putting a roundabout in this intersection would be an extremely unintelligent solution to the problem. This project and road closure will only increase frustration. Once the project has been completed it will be easy to see that a poor decision was made. Drivers will have to wait and then yield to the drivers already in the roundabout. This is going to confuse people even more as well as cause frustration between drivers. I too feel bad for the businesses in Paint Creek. Those businesses will undoubtedly lose revenue! We recently moved to the Ypsilanti area and on a daily basis use Whittacker to get to 94. It is extremely convenient to stop on the way home and grab a bite to eat or pick up some groceries. I can honestly say that with this intersection closure I will no longer take advantage of this once easily accessed area. Furthermore, there should be no argument that this great deal of money she be spent elsewhere in the community.
C. Pan
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:23 p.m.
Roundabouts are not a good idea. The one at Huron Parkway and Nixon is not cool.
Tom
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 6:35 p.m.
Rebuttal to Spyker Four way stops are a horrible decision. My job allows me significant interaction with roadway design engineers and traffic safety professionals. Within this group there are profound differences of opinion regarding the safety of four way stops. One very vocal camp is continuously extolling their virtues, the other camp admits that serious problems exist due to driver's unfamiliarity with these devices. The problems exists at times of heavy traffic, and poor visibility conditions. Every driver has to trust that all other drivers will obey the rules of the four way stops because there is no opportunity to visually confirm the other drivers are following the rules. Rules that are unfamiliar to ALL drivers!... Too many people do not realize a four way stops should be a low speed linear path. How can you go straight or turn into stop and start traffic, then safely exit when the majority of the traffic is grossly exceeding the linear road posted speed limit?
Spyker
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 5:34 p.m.
This is a horrible decision. My job allows me significant interaction with roadway design engineers and traffic safety professionals. Within this group there are profound differences of opinion regarding the safety of Roundabouts. One very vocal camp is continuously extolling their virtues, the other camp admits that serious problems exist due to driver's unfamiliarity with these divices. Traffic flow during mid-morning hours when little traffic is moving is undeniably smoother. The problems exists at times of heavy traffic, and poor visibility conditions. Every driver has to trust that all other drivers will obey the rules of the Roundabout because there is no opportunity to visually confirm the other drivers are following the rules. Rules that are unfamiliar to ALL drivers! The other current love-child of deranged traffic planners is the S.P.U.I., or Single Point Urban Interchange. Another idea which works well in the daylight, but its acute traffic angles prevent easy visual confirmaiton of proper traffic flow during poor visibility conditions. Nearby examples of SPUI's are the I-94 and Telegraph Rd interchange, and the I-96 and Novi Rd interchange. Is the oncoming car in its proper lane? Will it stop? Will it collide head-on with my vehicle? All three questions pass thru my mind every time I find myself negotiating a SPUI at night. Too many people do not realize a Roundabout should be a low speed circular path. How can you merge into flowing traffic, change to the inner lane, avoid merging traffic, change lanes again to the outer lane, then safely exit the curving flow when the majority of the traffic is grossly exceeding the straight road posted speed limit? Whittaker Road between I-94 and Textile Rd needs more intentional restrictions to traffic flow to maintain safe legal speeds, not fewer restrictions to traffic flow.
iCraig
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 3:40 p.m.
What will happen at the roundabout when the traffic backs up from the Northbound side at Huron due to the increased and unregulated traffic from the Stoney Creek light?
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
People didn't like seat belts initially! It actually took a very long time and many public awareness campaigns to get people into the habit of wearing seat belts. At one point, a passenger putting on his seat belt was treated like an insult to the driver's driving ability. So, don't expect traffic circles to be well-received overnight, but I'd still like to see convincing stats (as there were in the case of seat belts).
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:32 p.m.
id rather sit at a light and catch up on fb, email, and txt's. can't (well shouldn't) through a round-a-bout.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:24 p.m.
"i think your utter lack of understanding is from the majority of the public NOT liking these circus wheels. just look at the poll that's on this page, eh." But since your directing this towards me I will say it's the lack of understanding how a roundabout works. I understand people don't like them...becasue they don't understand them. They are confused by them, therefore they do not like them. I'm not always right on with everyone's thinking but why would you want to sit at a light instead of moving througha roundabout? If you knew everything about them and how to use them, do you think people would rather sit at a traffic light? Maybe so, i think not, but I've been wrong before.
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 1:12 p.m.
@Lokalisierung, what is "utter lack of understanding"? just because municipalities show they work and they maybe safe (could these reports be biased? sure) i can make a graph show whatever "i" want it too, to help my cause. doesn't mean the majority of public LIKES these things does it? i think your utter lack of understanding is from the majority of the public NOT liking these circus wheels. just look at the poll that's on this page, eh.
Lokalisierung
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 12:10 p.m.
"Wow, the complete and utter lack of understanding in the majority of this discussion is quite simply mind-boggling." Is this your first time on annarbor.com? :) But seriously roundabouts are great. Typical that peoples first reaction to anything they don't know is cry about it and complain.
Anonymous Due to Bigotry
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 11:43 a.m.
http://www.michigan.gov/images/mdot/MDOT_roundabout_stats_185559_7.jpg 404 Not Found I think the problem with roundabouts is that most Americans aren't used to them and that causes problems. I do not know if this totally negates any safety gains though.
Life in Ypsi
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 11:24 a.m.
I hope the roundabout is not some monstrosity like the one's I experienced in Green Oak Township. Next time I'm driving and need to stop for food and rest it won't be there. They were extremely confusing and quite frightening. I'm still unsure if I was in the correct lanes.
Nathan
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 10:46 a.m.
Wow, the complete and utter lack of understanding in the majority of this discussion is quite simply mind-boggling. Roundabouts are proven to do two things: Smooth traffic flow, and reduce accidents. And honestly, if they didn't work (causing more accidents, backing up traffic, etc), they wouldn't be the standard in a great many places. Unfortunately for the apparent majority of drivers, they also mean that you have to pay attention to what's going on when you're driving. No more texting/putting on makeup/reading the paper while driving. I'm really enjoying that more and more intersections are moving to these, but maybe it's just because I happen to pay attention while I drive and understand the rules. Driving is an advanced activity. It's not for everyone. If you can't understand the relatively simple concept of yield, enter, circle, exit, then maybe you should start evaluating your public transportation/carpooling options.
Graz
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.
What this article should state is that this project is to correct problems that should have been addressed 7 years ago when the shopping center and professional plaza were in the planning stages. Or they could have been addressed when the road was widened 5 years ago. Whomever was in charge of the planning then really dropped the ball. But then again, with so many areas around here still having dirt roads, I shouldn't be surprised. Michigan has yet to reach the 20th Century, much less the 21st.
tonster
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.
This is just crap. They could easily spent 1% of the cost of this roundabout and put a damn driveway off Stoney Creek to access the shops in the Paint Creek shopping center (including Kroger). I cannot begin to understand why there was never a driveway built to access that shopping center from Stoney Creek. That alone would probably cut traffic by 33% and take a couple days instead of 3 months to construct.
glimmertwin
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 9:55 a.m.
I'm not positive about this, but didn't this entire change come about originally due to the township being sued because there was no pedestrian way for handicapped persons, or anyone else for that matter, to cross at any point of this intersection? I am fairly certain that I read about this in the township meeting minutes long ago.
Peter A Webb
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 9:54 a.m.
>> "There is a very simple solution to the Kroger dilemma. Take a right out of the parking lot and use the roundabout to get yourself going north." Amen. The simplest way to solve a problem is not to have it.
ziggy99
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 9:33 a.m.
If you like them, try the triple roundabout at Lee Rd. and US-23 in Brighton!! Have almost T-boned other people because they don't stop for traffic in the roundabout.
treetowncartel
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 9:25 a.m.
There is a very simple solution to the Kroger dillema. Take a right out of the parking lot and use the roundabout to get yourself going north.
Barb
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 9:21 a.m.
Slingblade asked for stats so here are some from SEMCOG (start on page 26 of the PDF for roundabout-specific info): http://snipurl.com/v1z16
Sling Blade
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 9:06 a.m.
Awesome! I want to watch the wreckfest! It's going to be better than a demolition derby. Are they building bleachers or can I bring my lawn chair to sit in and enjoy the entertainment? Washtenaw County needs to focus on maintaining the roads and stop their obsession with roundabouts. Would someone please post crash data and statistics on existing roundabouts in Michigan and look into what politicians and officials are supporting all these roundabouts. How does The county plow snow in roundabouts with active traffic? Washtenaw County has way too much hindsight and not enough foresight. Roundabouts look great on paper but where did these fabulous engineers go to school?
Barb
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:56 a.m.
Anyone who finds roundabout confusing or doesn't understand why they're making area traffic safer and less congested should read this: http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9615-139335--,00.html
aey1
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.
I agree with writer re Kroger-- hard to make a left. Also, the exit/entrance at the CVS on Stony Creek is DANGEROUS-- you can't see cars coming around the curve. Who planned/approved this exit/entrance?
Lynette
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:46 a.m.
I find roundabouts to be very confusing. I can see more accidents at this intersection as a result of the roundabout. At present, I avoid travel routes that include roundabouts.
dading dont delete me bro
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:39 a.m.
wonderful...FAIL guess wcrc/ypsilanti township won't be extending hrd(huron river drive) west past whittaker then south behind kroger to elks(?) that was permanent going to be permanent and then be the detour for when this fiasco was being constructed. wait until the round-a-bout at merrit and whittaker. what's that all about?
Barb
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:37 a.m.
Interesting - I wonder how roundabouts can actually be dangerous. It seems to me that if you slow people down but they don't actually have to stop, traffic moves more efficiently and serious accidents are a thing of the past. How can it be dangerous when people can't zip thru them? Interesting perspective.
sara
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:36 a.m.
I travel regularly through the roundabout at Geddes and Superior Road. It has made that intersection so much safer. I think that the roundabout at Whittaker and Stoney Creek will improve that intersection, but be a bummer for the Ypsi District Library during construction. Guess I'll just have to go down Munger and then across Textile for a while.
a2kate
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 8:16 a.m.
I hate roundabouts, and will avoid areas that have them. My question is this: If these are the "wave of the future" for Michigan....why do they not teach our new drivers how to maneuver through them? My child just completed Driver's Ed, and not one word was mentioned about roundabouts. If seasoned drivers have trouble getting through them, can you imagine the stress for a new driver?
glimmertwin
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:50 a.m.
>> put in a light to turn left out of the Kroger I agree completely. I cannot possibly, for the life of me, figure out the township planners thought process on this entire area. I feel terrible for the businesses on this corridor. Much of this stuff was supposed to be done years ago. No wonder many of the storefronts remain vacant. I did hear that there is interest on the corner Huron River and Whittaker where the garage is. If A2 news really wants a good story contact the president of the Credit Union. They are trying to be "good citizens" but they can give you an earful regarding their development process in the township.
marzan
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:49 a.m.
I love roundabouts. The ones at maple and 14 have shaved several minutes off my commute. Even after a U of M game when there is a ton of traffic out of town traffic flows great.
twizz
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:44 a.m.
I drive this intersection every day and it is not fun, the roundabout will make it that much worse. I used to live in a state that used these and I would have to drive through 5 or 6 of them every day. They are very dangerous, so dangerous the state started reconstructing to remove these and use alternate methods. this seems like backwards progress.
Ignatz
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:35 a.m.
I'm in agreement with emu2009 about the need of letting traffic out of the shopping center. I would prefer, however, that a road be cut to Stoney Creek, a less traveled road. I abhor traffic lights, because governments don't know how to run them. There's no need to leave the lights cycling all of the time, which is what usually happens. It's too disruptive to traffic flow. The roundabout itself will be nice. Roundabouts are like taking a trip to Cedar point for a little thrill ride. The downside is that drivers must actually pay attention to what they're doing. that's something Americans are extremely poor at doing.
LoneWolf
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:29 a.m.
I understand the trepidation some people have with the roundabouts. I first met them when I went to England several years ago for about 6 weeks. It really was easy to get used to them, especially when I had no choice (had to get to the job site somehow). I did have one minor fender bender with the rental car. With the roundabout or without the roundabout, people will still get in accidents because of drivers not paying attention to what they or others are doing.
emu2009
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:20 a.m.
Next they will need to put in a light to turn left out of the Kroger shopping center. Its hard enough already but without a light to give a break in traffic it will be that much harder to get out of there.
Jonathan Hurshman
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:17 a.m.
I am frequently at this intersection (on the way to the Ypsilanti District Library, mostly) and am looking forward to this (although not to the intervening construction). I think roundabouts work well, and they will work better and better as drivers get familiar with how to use them.
Steve Pepple
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:16 a.m.
The story has been updated to correct the name of Aubree's Pizzeria & Tavern. Typos have also been fixed.
glimmertwin
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:05 a.m.
>> plaze at the intersections east side >> Huron Driver Drive to Textile Road. Wow. Two places I've never seen or heard of.
glimmertwin
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 7:03 a.m.
>> Aubrees Saloon in Paint Creek Shopping Since when has Aubree's been a saloon? Seeing it is called Aubree's Pizzeria and Tavern. At least the one in Paint Creek Shopping center. Do you ever get the feeling that the writers of this "news source" don't get out much? I bet if you asked for directions they would send you to Depot Town.
baitm
Thu, Mar 25, 2010 : 6:34 a.m.
What a great reason to stay away from that area. Lansing is using roundabouts more often and they simply suck. i can't believe another solution could not be found. if you get stuck in the middle of one of those things say thanks by not frequenting that area any longer. i feel bad for buisnesses in that area already.