ClosetDL: To all: Rotary or traffic circle or roundabout or something else? it
about 3 hours ago
LuvChocoVanilla: I'm sorry. I can't understand. Seriously or Joke... and... a roundabout expression. I CANT UNDERSTAND. :,|
about 8 hours ago
RhysT: @Octofuzz its a bit of a pain as its on a roundabout either have to drive or take your chance on the main road!
about 10 hours ago
AndrewKinloch: @USOuljah @kiwianarama Drivers that dont indicate and/or change lanes on a roundabout or turn right from the left lane in a roundabout
about 21 hours ago
ShorewoodMN: Join the Park or Planning Commission! Commission terms begin in March and run three years. Go to www.ci.shorewood.mn.us for info!
about 3 days ago
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Milwaukee largest roundabout is located at the south end of the 6th Street viaduct. |
 | By Maureen Post   OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer E-mail author | Author bio More articles by Maureen Post |
| Published Oct. 8, 2009 at 10:41 p.m. |
|
In the last five years, yet another European trend crossed the Atlantic to Milwaukee: the roundabout. The one located on the south end of the 6th Street viaduct is perhaps the most prominent but you'll find them in the neighborhood near UWM, St. Francis, the Menomonee Valley, Shorewood and Oconomowoc.
Today, heading toward West Bend, we exited at Holy Hill to find construction workers laying the groundwork for a roundabout at the top of the off-ramp.
Personally, I'm a fan. Travelling in Europe, roundabouts move traffic along without hitch and sustain steady street flow that avoids the start and stop of traffic lights. But, as American drivers the concept is completely foreign. Are we ready for this?
I can say I've seen more than a few close calls and dicey maneuvers; how to get on, how to get off and who has the right of way seems vaguely misunderstood. Do we just need to weather an adjustment period? Or is our "American" driving style buried too deep to be altered?
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15 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review. |
Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by sandstorm on Oct. 10, 2009 at 9:10 a.m. (report)
"...if you know how to use it properly.' that's the point Bruno. hardly anyone does. and you wouldn't have me reading a text while driving so why do i need to read a "few signs" in a single intersection to know what to do. wtf is so hard about red light stop, green light go? roundabouts when used properly (and they rarely are) are going to save you ten seconds on your commute. that's worth the hassle? and even if you're some sorta drver savant and navigate these things with ease 'cause your so cool, Marge in her minivan probably isn't and could flatten you. why bother with these things? ironically, there is no need to reinvent the wheel here.
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Posted by brunocarlson on Oct. 9, 2009 at 4:39 p.m. (report)
Are we all that ignorant that we cannot read a few signs and use a turn-about? It is a simple idea and process but there are some that are just stubborn or have that American "can't-do/me-first" attitude. A turn-about is easy, safe, and effective to use if you know how to use it properly.
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Posted by devidia on Oct. 9, 2009 at 12:45 p.m. (report)
I guess I don't really see the logic. You still have to stop, and then merge with traffic that sometimes won't stop coming, so you have to force your way in almost causing an accident. Either that or I've seen some people who seem afraid to enter the circle and sit there forever. I use the one at I-43 and Moorland Rd. and there's even a squad car blocking the turnaround lane with it's lights flashing and barricades, probably as a safety measure. How is this safer, exactly? People still act like asses and go whenever they want to. I don't see the concept difference from the traffic lights. At least cars are made to stop at some point so the other direction can go out of fairness. Not gettin' it.
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Posted by Broner on Oct. 9, 2009 at 12:42 p.m. (report)
Cops should be positioned at roundabouts at all times and if a person doesn't successfully navigate one, they lose their license on the spot. Forever. That'll weed out the bad drivers.
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Posted by mstodola on Oct. 9, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. (report)
FRIEND! Roundabouts save lives. Period. Especially in a motorcycle town, roundabouts take most of the danger out of intersections. Accidents reduce greatly, and deaths nearly go away all together. We need more around town.
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