Roundabout Strikes Best Balance

July 2, 2002

Dear Editor,

I respect writer Linda Morris's opinion on the new roundabout at 26th and Washington. (“Throwing Money at Non Problems,” July 1, 2003) She is correct that the City responded to neighborhood concerns about the safety of that intersection for pedestrians, particularly children crossing to school.

However, I'd like to correct her misunderstanding of why our traffic management staff and the City Council chose the roundabout over other options she mentions.

The roundabout, as it's designed to, slows traffic without stopping it (and is engineered so emergency vehicles can pass through without trouble). Four-way stop signs at rush hour would have had traffic backed up for blocks.

Our pedestrian-activated flashing crosswalks, as on Pico, are permanent -- we love 'em! -- but this particular intersection at 26th and Washington also had a documented history of vehicle accidents that we needed to address.

Finally, a traffic light would have had the unintended side effect of making Washington an attractive alternative for commuters trying to avoid Wilshire, compromising the quality of life in adjacent quiet residential neighborhoods.

No solution makes everyone happy, but I can assure Linda lots of thought went into this choice. City transportation management staff and the City Council explored every option she suggests and more before concluding that, on balance, the roundabout was the best balance between traffic flow and pedestrian safety.