Henry Smorynski, Sartell
As you went through all the detours, congestion and construction on Pinecone Road this summer and fall, did you ever ask yourself, if it was a prudent use of your tax dollars? The simple answer is a resounding NO! The city could have used far less of taxpayer dollars to achieve equal or better results. Businesses did not have to lose customers and income during unnecessary roundabout construction. Quiet neighborhoods did not have to become disrupted.
But if citizens don’t speak up loud and clear with their objections, the city will probably go mindlessly ahead in becoming roundabout city incorporated. With six more roundabouts being advocated for Pinecone Road in current city plans versus other kinds of signalized intersections, the city will probably spend unnecessary taxpayer dollars.
There was no need to take out previous city investments of stoplights and/or stoplight preparations at Second Street S. and Heritage respectively. That was a waste of previous city investments and planning. For a far smaller and more frugal investment, those intersections could have been upgraded with additions of flashing yellow left-turn signals, the type found at County Road 120 and Pinecone Road or Third Street N and 10th Avenue N. in St. Cloud.
In Minnesota only 8 percent of roundabouts have been built to replace traffic signals. Less than 25 percent of those planned during 2015 replaced signalized intersections. The vast majority of roundabouts constructed in the state according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation were constructed at completely new intersections, thru-stop intersections or all-way stops not signalized intersections. Additionally, in Minnesota at roundabouts that have been in existence for three or more years, only one has experienced a real decline in crash rates. Three have had an increase. This is especially the case for two-lane roundabouts versus single-lane roundabouts like the one installed at Second Street S. this summer.
The National Cooperative Highway Research Project (NCHRP 772.pdf) study concludes: “Roundabouts and signalized corridors typically had similar delay, travel time and travel speed compared to similar corridors.” Citizens and businesses should demand the city financially justify further roundabouts on Pinecone Road over all other potential signalized intersection-control options.