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Trucks & roundabouts

Dear Editor,

There are very serious truck traffic considerations that must be included in the city of Warren’s roundabout discussion.

1. Building a roundabout so that trucks can just squeeze through is not acceptable. It must be large and it’s very obvious that unless an apartment building and numerous parking spaces are removed the footprint is too small, and yes the Times Observer will practically have semi trucks driving on the sidewalk.

2. The current four-way intersection is very efficient. Trucks entering Pennsylvania Avenue East from Market Street now make one simple 90-degree turn. To make the same turn on the proposed roundabout, trucks will negotiate five 90 degree turns. An oval shape changes little. Market Street to Pennsylvania Avenue East will essentially become a modified hairpin turn. That is without a doubt, an increased safety risk.

Vehicular noise will increase. Unless very clear traffic signage is in place, many drivers will assume they are turning onto Pennsylvania Avenue East and drive onto Clark Street.

3. City planners need to be cautious about how enthused they are about this roundabout. It is possible to install roundabouts at the intersections at 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Streets? All you may have to do is cut down trees and bulldoze front lawns.

4. If this circle really has to be built, the entire roadway, circle hub, and approach dividers need to be one level and surfaced for vehicular travel instead of curbs and walls that are truck overturn safety issues. Removable sign-age can be used to direct traffic. The center greenery must be potted and removable to accommodate oversized commercial traffic on connecting streets. Remember the windmill towers, bridge beams, and mobile homes. Emergency vehicles? Which way will the Fourth of July Parade go? A new route?

5. This intersection should remain efficient and easy to navigate for the hundreds of trucks that use it on a daily basis. It converges major highway routes. How will future plans to link route 62 with Interstate 86 be affected? This intersection should not say “Go Away!”.

Will this roundabout become a vexation?

John V. Mortenson,

Sugar Grove

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