New Roundabout?

"Following the evolution from the medium-sized roundabout at the old triangle intersection to the large economy-sized one planned for the five-points intersection, the city now is branching out into the bite-sized version on Jefferson Street.

Engineering Director Tim Burkman got approval Wednesday from the city's Redevelopment Commission to have DLZ, its consultant on the downtown signal project, look at several changes in the original plan, including the inclusion of miniature roundabouts on Jefferson at Franklin Street and possibly Washington Street.

The city got a federal transportation grant to pay for 80 percent of the cost of upgrading the five remaining downtown signals that were not part of the improvements on Lincolnway. The Indiana Department of Transportation had planned to seek bids on the project in July, but Burkman said the proposed changes would push the bids back to the end of the year and the work would be done during the winter and spring of 2011.

As part of the project, Jefferson and Chicago Streets would both be restriped to add a bike lane in each direction between Campbell Street and Morgan Boulevard. Left-turn lanes would be painted at the intersections and parking would be maintained on both sides of the roads. The new plan calls for the elimination of the signals at Franklin and Chicago and Franklin and Indiana Avenue, but one would be added at Jefferson and Morgan Boulevard.

It has not been decided whether four-way stops will replace the signals to be removed at the two intersections or whether one of the streets will be a through street. By using the federal grant, the installation of the new signal at Jefferson and Morgan will free up about $100,000 for the downtown park. That signal would be connected to the one at Lincolnway and Morgan to keep traffic moving smoothly on Morgan.

The small roundabout planned for Jefferson and Franklin would be built within the existing right of way and have a concrete dome in the middle of the street. The dome would be low enough for big trucks to drive over if they have to but tall enough to force passenger vehicles to drive around it, thus slowing them down. The commission suggested the second small roundabout at Washington, which has a similar street configuration.

By eliminating the signal at Franklin and Indiana, the city will be able to use the hardware planned for that site when it reconstructs the Lincolnway and Garfield Avenue intersection this year. The hardware includes decorative pole arms, lighted street signs and new signal heads.

The commission approved up to $75,000, including $5,000 for the second miniature roundabout, for DLZ to design the proposed changes and do the new environmental assessment required for the federal funding. No major change is expected in the total cost of the signal upgrade, but it will result in lower operating costs by eliminating some signals and savings from using the one originally proposed for Franklin and Indiana for the Garfield-Lincolnway intersection.

In making the motion to approve the funding for DLZ, Valparaiso Councilman Jan Dick said, "Anything so you can go down Franklin without having to stop four times is great."


Any opinions - I think that intersection doesn't need it. It's a one-way street meeting a street that becomes one way. Only traffic from two directions. 22 comments so far at the Times webpage.

This post on the comments page HAS to make you laugh (at least if your sense of humor is as sick as mine!)

I hate roundabouts and can't believe Valpo keeps forcing those things on us!
No matter how many times I go through one I just can't figure it out.

This just isn't fair...I was starved for oxygen during birth and dropped on my head at 6 months. Roundabouts confuse and scare me. Sometimes I stop or swerve into other drivers and then they holler, honk and cuss at me which just makes me more nervous and confused.

Mayor of Valpo, please make them go away!

:rolfcry:

They are soooo simple! They are all over the place in Europe, and those are some people that know a thing or two about traffic congestion.

I drove through the intersection they want to put it in last night - just don't see how they are going to do it without taking extra land. Paul, I knew you and Mike (where is he?) would comment. I think we three might be the only non-Hammondites here.

KarenT wrote:

just don't see how they are going to do it without taking extra land.

Now there's an actual valid concern. Is the land city or privately owned?

Can someone explain to me in layman terms what the hell a "round-about" is. Still can't figure it out. I have friends in Valpo...haven't visited in a long while, but what the hell is a round-a-bout?

Think condensed from the above picture.

The land is one block off the main street in Valpo. Two corners have bank parking lots, one has the library, and the other is a church.

I'm not familiar with the intersection,but I'm generally in favor of roundabouts. The problem is that they can be overwhelming to some people like that comment you posted.

So, there's a circle with streets going around with two lanes? Gosh, how's that a problem? Unless I need glasses. Why the circle in the middle? What makes it so difficult? Just curious.

Guess I won't know until I experience it myself. But, it still confuses me.

UrRight wrote:

So, there's a circle with streets going around with two lanes? Gosh, how's that a problem? Unless I need glasses. Why the circle in the middle? What makes it so difficult? Just curious.

The circle is there to force traffic around it,instead of going straight ahead. That's why they call it a roundabout!

Quote :

Guess I won't know until I experience it myself. But, it still confuses me.

Please warn everyone first.

UrRight wrote:

Why the circle in the middle? What makes it so difficult? Just curious.

The circle eliminates the need for the stoplight. When there is an opening you get in the circle going right until you get to your desired exit. It's like getting on an on/off ramp for a highway. Rules for merging apply.

Unfortunately, people think it's like a 4-way stop and stop while IN the roundabout to let people merge. Paul, your explanation should be sent to everyone driving the roundabout. They would never stop on a highway to let someone merge - why here?

Proof that you can properly navigate a roundabout should be required before you're issued a driver's license. It would be a great way to keep idiots off the road.

Artie60438 wrote:

Proof that you can properly navigate a roundabout should be required before you're issued a driver's license. It would be a great way to keep idiots off the road.

Read in NWI they are going to make the roundabouts bigger in St. John.

So, why not put an American Flag on the circle or a water fountain?

I won't drive a roundabout with a golf cart. Nothing to worry about.

Valpo has a sculpture "around the roundabout" (off to the side). My favorite suggestion was they should put a statue of a policeman blowing his whistle right in the middle of it.

KarenT wrote:

Valpo has a sculpture "around the roundabout" (off to the side). My favorite suggestion was they should put a statue of a policeman blowing his whistle right in the middle of it.

LOL. or that foam statue of Liberty until she gets worn out!

Showed it to my neighbor, who hadn't noticed it. When I told her it was called Mercury, she asked, "Freddie?"

UrRight wrote:

KarenT wrote:

Valpo has a sculpture "around the roundabout" (off to the side). My favorite suggestion was they should put a statue of a policeman blowing his whistle right in the middle of it.

LOL. or that foam statue of Liberty until she gets worn out!

Should I ask?


Nope I'm going to.


Why? Why? Why should there be a statue of a policeman blowing the Statue of Liberty?

Blowing his whistle - not Lady Liberty.

KarenT wrote:

Blowing his whistle - not Lady Liberty.

I have laughed sooo hard...what little it would take to encounter that round-about if you actually had Lady Liberty bowing down to the policeman as she melts away?

No cars would merge, crash...no real need for stoplights which would serve the purpose.

Can you imagine the old goats using golf carts explaining to their wives why it's necessary because of the price of gas (for a glance)?