Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Cities around Dallas are adding traffic “circles”
Cities around Dallas are increasingly adding the traffic constellation that some people refer to as the "circle" or the "roundabout," although in New England, the proper name for them is a "rotary." "Roundabout" is a dumb Yes song.
This story lists "at least 11 North Texas cities" with 19 or more traffic circles in Southlake, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Denton, Garland, Addison, Rowlett, Richardson, Frisco, and Flower Mound. Southlake is adding three at the pretty price of $500K apiece for the circular construction in the middle of the intersection. Flower Mound has some already and is thinking of adding three more.
They're a good replacement for four-way stops because they reduce congestion, but so many people here are unfamiliar with them that you always get stuck behind some idiotdriver who goes into crisis mode at the prospect of entering an intersection without some kind of fanfare.
Posted by T.G.
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Tracy Yost, says:
These are fun and not for the timid. Most people stateside (except in new england and the DC area) do not know how to use them.
Verified
5 months, 1 week agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Andrew Laska, says:
The "Roundabout" in the Yes song is actually a traffic circle.
Verified
5 months, 1 week agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Alex Bentley, says:
Maybe <a href="http://www.alaskaroundabouts.com/mythfact1.html">this</a> will clear up confusion.
Staff
5 months, 1 week agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
jtmbls, says:
Ooohhh!! This is going to get fun!!
Anonymous
5 months, 1 week agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Chris Kidd, says:
They have these things all over neighborhoods in Houston, they make them pretty too w/ fountains, flowerbeds and even art installations. Anything that will increase civic pride and get people to quit acting like speeding idiots in neighborhoods..
Verified
5 months, 1 week agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Jesus Valadez, says:
I guess my Mexican side is going to be good for something when it comes to driving. :p
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5 months, 1 week agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
ryetronics, says:
Where is there a roundabout in Richardson? The only one I know of that is even close to a roundabout is at American Pkwy and Presidential, but it's in the middle of a business park with no real traffic.
Anonymous
5 months, 1 week agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Andrew Laska, says:
rye,
I think they are in business areas where the difference between public and private roads is not as easy to spot.
There used to be one at Belt Line and Coit I think in the 50s so I am told. I have been told pictures exist of it but I have not been able to locate any.
Verified
5 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
Teresa Gubbins, says:
one roundabout in Richardson that i encounter fairly often on my gad-abouting is at Lakeside Blvd and Lawnview Drive -- just east of 75 and just north of Campbell, kindof over by that Richardson Hotel. but as andrew says, it's somewhat business-parky over there
Staff
5 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal
momzilla, says:
The only one I'm familiar with is the Weatherford Circle in west Fort Worth where 377, 183 and Camp Bowie all intersect. I couldn't tell you how long it's been there, but I know it was there in 1976 when I first moved to Fort Worth.
Anonymous
5 months agoLink to this comment | Suggest removal