[MissoulaGov] Arthrur 5th roundabout?

[Bob Giordano]

"The state would only go for a double lane roundabout here and that would
take a lot of engineering and right of way"

---------
Remember, we were also told the original MDT 5-lane was the only option
for Arthur, and we were told that the Higgins Beckwith roundabout could
not be built...

A concern with a stop light at Arthur/5th is the likely higher speeds of
cars coming down off the bridge (imagine the green, and the foot hits the
accelerator... light turns yellow.... some floor it, some brake hard...
injury).

Speed reduction must be part of a possible new signal, or...

a roundabout.  While mist is a great supporter of pure, single lane
roundabouts, a hybrid roundabout may work in the case of Arthur/5th (due
to two southbound lanes coming off the bridge).

see: http://www.drivers.com/img/articles/334_roundabout1.jpg
for an example.

Also, please consider these very telling stats about ped safety and
signals vs. roundabouts:

Melbourne Data:
Peds at all signalized intersections (about 2,500) in the Melbourne Metro
area for 2002-2006:
    * Fatal: 27
    * Serious Injury (hospital): 614
    * Other (medical): 701

Peds at roundabouts (over 4,000) in the Melbourne Metro area for 1996-2000
    * Fatal: 0
    * Serious Injury (hospital): 18
    * Other (medical): 39

If you would like see the original state plan, and the original mist plan
for Arthur 5th 6th, go to:

http://strans.org/arthurfifthsixthstreets.html

We do like many elements of the current plan being promoted by the city
and UM (especially the safety elements of Maurice/5th and Maurice/6th),
yet, a single lane or hybrid roundabout- not a full double lane
roundabout- is still very viable for Arthur and 5th.

thoughts?

thanks, -Bob Giordano, mist


Bob Jaffe wrote:
> In Public works we saw the new Memorandum of Understanding between the U
and the city regarding the Arthur 5th and 6th project. No surprises. Here
> it is if you want to read it:
> http://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=2487 We talked a
little
> about the possibility of doing a roundabout. It may be possible, but not
as a part of this project. The state would only go for a double lane
roundabout here and that would take a lot of engineering and right of way
> acquisition. This would completely change the scope of the project.