Spring Break
University features city's first roundabout
Additions will be made throughout the year, similar projects planned for other intersections
Jessica Branen
Issue date: 9/12/05 Section: Campus News
Students traveling past Chancellors Hall will have to try to resist the temptation of driving in circles as they encounter the City of Eau Claire's first roundabout.
Completed in the first week of August, the roundabout is near Sacred Heart Hospital, 900 W. Clairemont Ave., and Upper Campus.
Roundabouts are circular, one-way intersections operating without traffic signal equipment.
Four roads connect to the center hub, which allows traffic to move from one road to the other without stopping; however, vehicles must yield to traffic, according the Department of Transportation.
Eau Claire Public Works Director Brian Amundson said the roundabout was needed in that area.
Amundson said the conditions of Heights, Hendrickson and University drives needed to be dealt with, and a roundabout was a better solution than a proposed four-way stop.
While Public Works usually considers no feedback a good sign, Amundson said he has gotten positive feedback concerning the roundabout.
Sophomore Alia Groth spent some time in Scotland, where she noticed the traffic flow wasn't halted and there were fewer accidents or reports of them.
"There are less people being blindsided as well because you can see every oncoming car in front of you," she said.
Instead of a full stop as with an four-way stop intersection, roundabouts feature a yield for drivers entering the circle, which does slow down but doesn't halt traffic.
"People have been unsure of how to drive it," Amundson said, as some people go around more than once before they realize where to turn off.
Others who are used to a left turn have gone the wrong way, but there have been no accidents.
Amundson said the roundabout was needed for three reasons.
The first reason is the roads needed to be improved to make the access to the campus and the hospital readily available, he said.
Also, the streets were in poor condition and needed to be paved and rebuilt.
Finally, the roundabout has given the entry to Clairemont Avenue and other roads a more aesthetic approach.
The city also is planning for the construction of more roundabouts, with projects planned for the intersections of Golf and Rudolph Roads and for Mitscher Avenue and Rudolph Road.
There are still additions to be made to the new roundabout, Amundson said. Lighting, yield signs and landscaping in the middle of the circle will be completed throughout the rest of the year.
Completed in the first week of August, the roundabout is near Sacred Heart Hospital, 900 W. Clairemont Ave., and Upper Campus.
Roundabouts are circular, one-way intersections operating without traffic signal equipment.
Four roads connect to the center hub, which allows traffic to move from one road to the other without stopping; however, vehicles must yield to traffic, according the Department of Transportation.
Eau Claire Public Works Director Brian Amundson said the roundabout was needed in that area.
Amundson said the conditions of Heights, Hendrickson and University drives needed to be dealt with, and a roundabout was a better solution than a proposed four-way stop.
While Public Works usually considers no feedback a good sign, Amundson said he has gotten positive feedback concerning the roundabout.
Sophomore Alia Groth spent some time in Scotland, where she noticed the traffic flow wasn't halted and there were fewer accidents or reports of them.
"There are less people being blindsided as well because you can see every oncoming car in front of you," she said.
Instead of a full stop as with an four-way stop intersection, roundabouts feature a yield for drivers entering the circle, which does slow down but doesn't halt traffic.
"People have been unsure of how to drive it," Amundson said, as some people go around more than once before they realize where to turn off.
Others who are used to a left turn have gone the wrong way, but there have been no accidents.
Amundson said the roundabout was needed for three reasons.
The first reason is the roads needed to be improved to make the access to the campus and the hospital readily available, he said.
Also, the streets were in poor condition and needed to be paved and rebuilt.
Finally, the roundabout has given the entry to Clairemont Avenue and other roads a more aesthetic approach.
The city also is planning for the construction of more roundabouts, with projects planned for the intersections of Golf and Rudolph Roads and for Mitscher Avenue and Rudolph Road.
There are still additions to be made to the new roundabout, Amundson said. Lighting, yield signs and landscaping in the middle of the circle will be completed throughout the rest of the year.