The Mill Creek neighborhood supports the installation of traffic circles!

December 2008 was a memorable month for many reasons. In addition to the heaviest snow accumulation in 2 decades, it was also the month the Mill Creek neighborhood voted on whether or not to install two traffic circles in the neighborhood. For the past year, many neighbors have worked with the city’s Residential Traffic Calming Program (RTCP) conducting studies, making phone calls to other neighbors, attending meetings and volunteering their time and energy toward determining an appropriate traffic calming technique for the area. Ballots were sent out in early December and returns were tallied throughout the month. The neighborhood voted in favor of installing the traffic circles.

In general, traffic circles are very effective in moderating speeds, can have a positive aesthetic value, reduce collisions at the treated intersection, and can calm two streets at once. Traffic circles influence drivers upstream and downstream from the device by creating a visual impression, real or imagined, that a street is not intended for through traffic. Emergency vehicles can maneuver around traffic circles but they have no effect on local access.

Engineering design is underway and the actual construction of two traffic circles on Jason Avenue North between James Street and Smith Street should start in late spring or early summer, barring any complications.