City considers fix for dangerous intersection

Zoom: Do emergency vehicles have time to screw around in a roundabout when they need to get somewhere?

Talk down to somebody else.

just wondering if the location of the fire station has been considered in this discussion. I drove by there yesterday and was trying to picture EMS vehicles having proper right of way...thoughts?

Irish_Mafia,
Did you miss the part in the article that said a roundabout would be cheaper and more effective than traffic lights?

StevelK,
It's possible the "final" estimate will go up, like it did for the pedestrian tunnel under Milwaukee Street (which was then cancelled).

Zoom:
In my (albeit limited) experience $440,000 is a very low estimate. For some reason I just can't swallow that a roundabout would only cost taxpayers $44,000. I haven't read this report, and a consultant is assumably an an expert (and that's a big assumption considering the relative esoteric nature of being a roundabout expert). That written, there are a number of ancillary costs associated when installing a roundabout. From purchasing land part and parcel to actual construction costs and signage.
You're right, though. In my experience (the $10 mill for a double-lane) three businesses had to be bought out. That won't be a factor if this project goes through.

I use that intersection daily.

Putting in traffic signals would probably work just fine. But what do I know? I just drive through there every day.

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Optimism- that's a swell idea, but the cops aren't going to give a ticket to someone just because another citizen turns them in. It wouldn't hold up in court. Generally an officer needs to observe with a radar or their own speedometer for a speeding ticket to be paid.

I lived in another state in a large population area. One suburb that had eight roads that came together used a roundabout. Rarely was there much of a wait to get on and off the roundabout and traffic ran so smoothly. About 2 miles down one of the roads was another suburb that also had eight roads that came together, but was controlled by stop lights that let ONE road at a time go through the intersection. Not only did the traffic lights sequence around all of the roads cause a long wait time and back up the traffic all around, but people going through the intersection when their time came would continue through the yellow and the red, because no one wanted to wait the 7 minutes it took to get the green light back to them.

In all the times I traveled that route, I saw one person tap the bumper of the person in front of them waiting at the roudabout, due to yakking on their cellphone. However, crashes were common at the intersection controlled by lights, and added even more wait time at the lights because the accidents were more severe.

For intersections that have the highest danger, roundabouts are the best solution. Even if a drunk driver barreled through the road on the roundabout, they would end up in the grassy middle of the roundabout after "baja'ing" their car. And there is no way anyone could speed in a roundabout.

Steve,
What costs $10million? The article says a roundabout would cost $440k at that intersection.

A round-about is a good idea, except the people in Janesville still don't know how to use 4-way stops properly. This is the only place I've lived where people sit at 4-way stops! DId the Janesville Drivers Ed. forget that chapter??

optimism: Good idea in theory but not reality. Several years ago while traveling, we witnessed a truck run a vehicle off the road and then almost run us off the road. We took down the info and stopped in at the station to report it and were told they couldn't issue a ticket based on the info we provided because if they contacted the owner and he/she wasn't the driver they would be in trouble for trying to ticket them. What a crock, so even if they weren't driving, they knew who was?? There were several people in the truck. So basically if they had run those other people or us off the road and killed someone it wouldn't matter that we got the tag number because we couldn't prove the owner was driving??????????

I think a double-lane roundabout is probably a good long-term solution as I've had a few close calls at this intersection over the years. Don't be surprised to see the design encompass (read: remove) the large pine at the southeast corner of this intersection. Most people hate roundabouts the first two years then grow to love them ... we'll see. You can't argue with the statistics though - it's safer and slows traffic. Pedestrians are usually the big question mark, but you have very few at that intersection. Oh and P.S. they're very expensive (like, $10 million plus).

This is a little of subject, but just wanted to enlighten some of you with what just happened to me regarding a ticket. I received a ticket in the mail from TWO years ago from the Illinois Tollway for 140.00!! For an accumulation of running through the tolls while the construction was underway and I couldn't get over in time......grrrrr. How can they keep on top of their situation with thousands of cars everyday, and our city limit Milwaukee Ave. is so out of control?? FYI...I will be fighting this ticket...I could understand if I was being an intentional theif, but I wasn't. Isn't that crazy??

How about this....here's a start! SLOW DOWN. And if you whitness someone speeding, use your right to do a citizen's arrest. WRITE DOWN THE LICENSE PLATE number, and turn them in.

i think the speed feedback signs is a good idea... and this coming from someone that got a speeding ticket on e milw about 2 weeks ago ( i was doing 11 over. guilty. ashamed.) ive really been trying to be a better driver and i know when i go to brodhead the speed feedback sign ALWAYS keeps me doing 25. its low cost and when used with routine speed traps people will learn.

I live on E. Milwaukee very close to this intersection. A four way stop sign or stop light will back traffic up too much on this road. A roundabout will keep traffic continuously moving, yet be more visually appealing then backed up traffic and traffic lights. I'm not normally a fan of roundabouts, but in this case I think it combines low cost, safety, and better visual appeal.

we've tried that. slaps on the wrists don't seem to be effective. no judge in rock county will uphold anything other than a fine. that doesn't seem to work.

I have to say, though, that I don't think it is JUST reckless and inattentive drivers that have caused this problem. The area is busy and the inclination to "take a risk" sometimes is stronger than the "be patient" and "ignore the person who is honking behind me" thoughts. Risk taking is equally dangerous for insecure drivers as for inconsiderate drivers.

Safety is the issue here; not making it easier for drivers who don't drive defensively. At least that's what I hope is the city's concern.

I've seen cars run red lights in front of police at least a dozen times over the past year. Not once has the driver been pulled over. One officer was almost in the middle of the intersection when a car went through long after the red light appeared and he did nothing. Does there have to be an accident before someone gets ticketed for not yielding the right of way? I'm serious...is there someone with the police dept. here that can answer this question? Until the puublic actually starts seeing JPD take these driving issues seriously and start pulling over AND ticketing stupid drivers, the mentality is not going to change. People will continue to think they can do anything they want on the road.

Holding someone accountable is important, but it doesn't really do anything to prevent the accident in the first place. The idiot speeding doesn't think about someone pulling out in front of them and what the consequences will be. That's why they're idiots. Four lane roads can give a false sense of safety, so the idiots speed.

More stringent driving education and standards are actually the best solution (see Europe), but that isn't the American way. In the mean time, we need to protect ourselves from the idiots.

Why do we need to make accomodations for reckless and inattentive offenders instead of solving the problem by holding them accountable for their actions???

OOPS! I meant men AND women in blue...Even I can't believe I made such an error in my post...

first of all, does anyone remember the 4-way stop at Lexington and Holiday? Holiday was a 4 lane and Lexington a 2 lane rd. NOBODY knew when their turn to go was! It was clearly an unsafe solution. There were accidents there all the time.

Testerrific, you asked: "why do you say that it is okay to think outside the box, and try to be progresive, and not act too quickly???"

Because it IS okay to think outside the box, it's good to have many people brainstorm options and perhaps one viable option can come from many well-intentioned, thoughtful suggestions from concerned citizens, and haste makes waste. Why spend a lot of money on something that the city will "outgrow" or will waste resources for a temporary solution?

Treat this decision the way you would if you were to have surgery. Think things through carefully, get a second opinion and listen to the experts. More importantly, use your collective ability to do your own research weigh the pros and cons of each option. Make a decision and then follow through on the plan.

It's a roundabout or stop lights we're talking about. It's not a spaceship for NASA. And it's taking steps to be proactive instead of reacting to a situation that could have/should have been prevented.

I agree with the comments about patrols; however, it seems our men in blue are spending more time with crisis intervention clients than responding to patrol-type issues. Trust me, getting rid of the psych unit and the detox units to "save money" for Rock County was a knee jerk move that will only cost residents of this county more in the end. I wish people who have power to make decisions would do their homework first.

A half million dollars for police won't last very long. A half million dollars for stop lights or a roundbout will last for decades, and do a 24/7 job of slowing traffic.

Stop signs aren't used on four lane roads.

I live near that intersection an i rember that acident last year very well there are to answers to this.One put a four way stop sign in an reduce the speed limit to 25 mph.Or the 2nd answer is to put stop light in.

I agree with cjsmom. Why not just a simple 4 way stop sign. Why are we arguing about an expensive roundabout system or an expensive stop light system when a $100 sign will do the same thing!!! So what if EVERY car has to stop. It will certainly stop 55 mph speeders.

Speed bumps and roundabouts are devices to try to make people slow down and yield the right of way when they are not so inclined to honor the law. They may work in those isolated places where they can be installed, but speeding tickets and other moving violation enforcement has a more lasting effect especially where an area is known to be a high enforcement zone. The city would do well to hire more police and get serious about traffic law enforcement. At a half million an intersection and I am sure that there are other intersections waiting for such solution, we could hire a lot of police.

I must say, first and foremost, that the 'IDIOT' drivers idea is what seems to stick in my head. I just saw my nephew the other day, the kid that killed Mrs. Bladorn, and he was driving like an a$$ again. Virtually every time I see him, he's acting a fool in a vehicle. I think the law needs to be enforced by our officers, even if it takes more officers. Get these people off the road that can't seem to follow the rules.

P.S. Maybe the Town of Beloit's towing idea isn't so bad after all. Let's start TOWING everyone's vehicles! That could even generate more revenue, and in time for the 4th of July. Heck, maybe enough to pay for the fireworks if Halbach gets thrown out. Wow, wouldn't that be a wonderful chain of events!

Bellagio-If we would only prosecute the offenders, (starting with the reckless, homicidal jerk who traveling 60 miles an hour killed Mrs.Bladorn) instead of giving them a $300 fine and a slap on the wrist we could change the habits of some of these offenders.

I appreciate the comments in favor of hiring consultants for various projects, and they changed my mind about it. It would be appropriate for a citizen committee to hire expert consultants if none happened to be on that committee.

Every time there's an accident at any intersection, that intersection should be turned into a roundabout. Just toss 'em randomly around the city. Whee! Just think of what the multitudes of drunk drivers will do in the roundabouts.

The roundabout nut here sounds like the Monorail huckster from the Simpsons. I bet there'll be a chorus in the streets chanting "Round-a-bout" any minute now.

I have a great idea. Why don't you idiots just learn how to drive!! I do not want my tax dollars going to make up for people that cannot drive correctly.

Leave the intersection as it is but place signs on each corner declaring that it's a roundabout. Then rely on the honor system.

lbmam4: Hey that speed bump idea is good. If they're installed, the speeders could really fly thu the intersection!

well maybe they should get back the 5 million from GM to build them that road. if the sun was a big issue they wouldnt have lights anywhere and they would have roundabouts everywhere

lbmam4: I know what you're talking about. however, a big issue I can see with speed bumps like that is snowplowing in the winter. I don't think they'd last very long... Maybe we should roll back the clock a few years and use some of the traffic control "experiments" tried by the city of Janesville in the 4th ward. For those of you who cannot remember that, that is one of the reasons I'm glad the city hired a consultant...

how about a 4-way stop sign? wouldn't it be cheaper and more effective?

billnewbie: I witnessed this exact same incident and I too wondered the same thing. I'm glad you brought this up. The police might want to think about the kind of example they are portraying to the citizens of this community.

Have they considerd speed bumps? I don't mean the little one's like they have at the post office. When I visited my sister in the south, went to Vegas on vacation and Mexico on Vacation, they had speed bumps. I know that not everyone has visited mexico, but if you have you know how the driving is there.. CRAZY. I the week we where there, we did not see one accident. Nor did we when we visited Vegas or the southern states.
They would put the speed bumps so many feet in front of a stop light, to make sure people slowed down.
It seems to me that if they looked into the speed bumps on the busy roads and by lights, that would also help slow people down and not cost asssssss much as a roundabout.
Now the spped bumps that I seen are about 3 to 4 feet wide and basically go across the entire road. They angled up and down so it is easy on cars, however if you go flying up to one you will do damage to your car, which may be a good thing... It would teach that person to slow down, they would have to get the car fixed which would mean money going back into the local economy.
Just a suggestion!

Nutty, I wish it was that easy. People make mistakes. Roundabouts make those mistakes less costly.

Bill, the difference between stop lights and roundabouts in your scenario is that people are speeding up and blowing through the stop light (upwards of 40-50mpg). Compare that to the 10-15mph that a "law ignoring" idiot would be going in the roundabout. If said idiot were to hit someone, it's a minor fender bender in a roundabout controlled intersection. It's likely to be severe injuries or a fatality in a stop-light controlled intersection.

You're right, this isn't going to make people obey the law. But it will make it safer for those who do and don't.

How about people just don't pull out in front of other people? Seems pretty simple really.

I don't know what kind of sarcastic mind game you're playing, Testerrific, but it's not really helping me get an idea of the substantive objections here. If a traffic study indicates that a stop light is appropriate here, I don't disagree with that solution. Roundabouts are, however, a legitimate choice and should be considered in a wide range of situations, particularly where there's a traffic differential and particularly here where left turns seem to be a problem.

Here's an interesting observation. It seems as though everone wants to point the finger at everyone else as if it's always another that is causing the problem. If one were to video these idiot drivers at these dangerous intersections, then "out" them on YouTube by posting a link on these boards... I wonder...

im gonna type this slow so those of you who are worried about 'navigating' a roundabout can understand. 1)safer 2)cheaper 3)looks better. wheres the debate??

On or about the afternoon of Friday May 31st I was parked in my car at the Walgreen's at Milton and Blackbridge for about 20 minutes where I could see the intersection clearly. There was some kind of incident across the street on the sidewalk in front of Big Lots' on Milton at the corner of Blackbridge. The police had the right lane of northbound Milton blocked with a squad car at the southeast corner and the westbound lane of Blackbridge blocked at the northeast corner. Another squad was in the Big Lots' parking lot as was a fire engine and an ambulance was stopped on Milton just a few feet north of the intersection with a squad car just behind it. 4 squad cars, 2 fire department vehicles, all with lights flashing.
I witnessed at least 6 cars run red lights while the officers were ignoring traffic completely. When one of the squad cars that was blocking traffic left, it entered the intersection just as the light turned yellow, and another car entered the intersection right behind the officer as the light turned red. Yet this infraction was ignored as were all the others.
Until the police seriously enforce traffic laws, roundabouts with their yield signs or traffic signals will not be honored. Some people will not honor the law unless they are forced to and that, it seems to me is the real problem.

WOW 680K for a set of stop lights and the city just removed two sets from downtown. Can't they be reused or are they in someones backyard? The new ones must be gold plated!!!!

Almos everyday the paper lists accidents caused by people running red lights, turn arrows turning red included. Nothing is going to stop the many, many rude drivers here that think driving laws don't pertain to them. The city population sign should read "1" since everyone here thinks they're the only one that matters. Slow down, stay off the phone, quit cutting people off and show some respect and consideration for the others on the road with you.

Even if the police ran radar for 4 hrs twice a week, I still think they'd make budget by July 4th... Based on observation...

MOC0428...I have a sneaky feeling that, in fact, you are a part of the "Roundabout" lobby from Washington. I suspected it from the start. Your unabashed support of roundabouts did not fall upon MY deaf ears. Shame on you. Good God man, how far will John McCain go to win the Latino vote????? The Janesville Gazette message boards are not an appropriate place to air your Republican agenda. Please call Bill O'Reilly.

Testeriffic: Do you sell stop lights to the city by chance? I just don't understand your opposition to something that has been proven cheaper and more effective.

The police force in Janesville does not have enough staff to sit people on roads running radar all day long.

Testeriffic? What? By directing the traffic flow they have achieved an intersection that is safer. Why not adopt this idea and put it in where it makes sense. This argument has nothing to do with my opinion on human life. An accident happened and there is a way to prevent it that cost's less than stop lights. What the heck is the problem? You are correct an accident can happen at any intersection in the city but this particular one has a history of data that would support a change!

That is a good point as well, I guess, Curlrock. But not sure where that battalion will come from in Janesville. Sure, we'll get the speeders, but with the police force focused on speeders, a few gas stations might get robbed. STOP LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!

Option 1) Build Roundabout or stoplights
Cost- 400,000-700,000
Option 2) Enforce speed limit
Cost- None. Actually generates revenue.

Let's try option 2 first. The CourtJester is correct

Zoom- Europeans perfected the "roundabout" as an effective way to control traffic flow. Not as a knee-jerk reaction to a tragic traffic accident. That kind of ridiculous knee-jerk reaction is known in France as "Janesvillian".

MOC0428...all I can say at this point, it is clear you are more concerned about the costs of protecting human life, than the value of the actual human life. Now go to the Thresheree and eat a corn dog.

The traffic at Alpine/Milw. isn't as heavy.

Yes, roundabouts are a new subject. I bet at some point in our distant past, people argued about the need for stop lights in place of stop signs. It has to start somewhere. I can't help it that Janesville is behind the times, when Europe has been using roundabouts for eons.

Not sure if this was missed?! BUT has anyone EVER thought about STOP LIGHTS? WOuldn't that slow down traffic and give a turn signal? I don't know, maybe that's too simple.

Testeriffic:

Stop lights cost more and have been proven not to be as effective. Do you not know how to navigate a roundabout? Is this the real problem here?

Zoom- my problem with it is...why are we cherry-picking danger zones with roundabouts? As I said in an earlier post, the whole city would have to be "roundabouts" to be "safe". Yeah, so it is cheaper to put in a roundabout at that intersection, but get killed at Alpine/Milw???? Nonsense. At some point, there is no controlling the randomness of life. You can make a bad turn on Hawthorne and Elida and get clocked. I just get a kick out of the "puritans" on the board that cherish human life so much that they call me an idiot, but then argue dollars and sense when it comes to solutions. I still stand by the fact that 5 months ago, no one would be talking about the roundabout option. That is only because it is in the news lately. Janesvillians didn't even know what a roundabout was ONE month ago. You know what they HAVE been talking about since that horrible accident? STOP LIGHTS!!!!!!!!! And yet, nothing. Utter nonsense. If next month, WAL-MART opened a gated entry to their parking lot, people in Janesville would start saying there should be a gated-entry to pass beyond Wuthering Hills while traveling down Milwaukee St. Oy Vey. Put in a damn stop light. Good Lord, man.

MOC4028- I guess read my last post. I have no more time for your nonsense.

And why should we spend $680K (of somebodies money) on a "temporary" solution?

I should have said "safer than stop lights".

MOC0428,
Technically, it's the "second-most dangerous two-way, stop-sign controlled intersection in the city", per the article. There are probably more dangerous intersections in Janesville, but I'm guessing those already have stop lights. I mistakenly called it the most dangerous of it's type earlier.

Testerrific,
Exactly what is your objection to a solution that is safer and costs less money?

Ms Sassy...first off, I just want to say that I appreciate your well written post.

But I just have to ask you...why do you say that it is okay to think outside the box, and try to be progresive, and not act too quickly???

I think a stoplight would be in order here. No one would have to think too quickly about that solution, even if it was "temporary". How long has it been since this tragic accident occurred? Nothing has even been done about it...except arguing about the solution. How many lives could have been saved in the meantime? Oh wait..none...no other fatalities have occurred at that particular junction. It is just another dangerous intersection in Janesville. Stop Lights would help all of them.

Testeriffic: As long as you keep posting like an ignorant fool I will post reason and logic. This topic is not complicated. Simply put it is the second most dangerous intersection in the city, factual data has been provided. All the city and Mr. Bladorn want to do is prevent this from happening again, and it will if nothing changes. Why is there such an opposition to this. Would you post the same way if it were your significant other or maybe a child? I don't think you would, like any other person you would want to see change. Why are you so hostile about this? Yes it is your tax dollar as it is mine, why wouldn't you want to see a proper solution?

Zoom: I agree Milwaukee St East of Wright Road needs only one lane. The road West of Wright Road needs more things in place to curb the speeds.

Last I checked Testeriffic, the autobahn didn't run through residential areas. Quit with childish comments!

thank you support_local_racing for your post with the links. i was going to post and ask what the heck a roundabout was and you gave me the link for answers.

oh goody! Just when I thought the Menard's roundabout issue was dead, another article appears. yippee!

On a more serious note, I don't think changing E. Milw. street to 2 lanes E. of Wright Rd. is a viable solution, as suggested by Zoom, only because visibility is already an issue with the sun. Having vehicles parked and bike lanes will only cause more confusion. I think a roundabout will be the safest, most practical solution. Also, if a roundabout is there, people who don't want to/can't navigate them, will find an alternative route, thereby effectively reducing traffic anyway. Bingo. Problem solved.

I am sorry that Mr. Bladorn lost his wife at this intersection, but it is really great that he is getting involved in helping to find a solution. It is helpful for folks who are affected by the problems of this intersection to speak their minds and brainstorm for possible solutions. It doesn't HAVE to be an either/or solution (lights/roundabout). I'm sure other cities have experienced challenging intersections and have come up with progressive solutions. It's good to think outside the box and not act too quickly so that all options are not even considered. However, it IS good to have a publicized projected completion date in an attempt to fix it before another family is affected, as Mr. Bladorn emphasized.

And that's all I have to say on that subject.

I, for one, welcome our roundabout overlords.

MOC0428, How dare you inpugn my integrity. I am a Janesville citizen, and my intelligent posts are more important than your lame retorts. How dare you sir. Or Ma'am, or whatever you pretend to be. At this point, with the knucklehead brigade still feverishly arguing the concept of a simple stoplight at Milw/Wuth Hills, I will suggest another possibility. THE JANESVILLE AUTOBAHN. Forget logic. Forget sensibility. Just light that strip up, but let people know about the danger beforehand. If you don't like it, take Skyview to Wright. Stay away from the Janesville Autobahn if you don't like it. I like it. Screw stop lights. Just haul it to Hwy 14. Maybe a roundabout can be installed just as you hit Hwy 14, so you can spin around and haul it right back to Wright Road. Who cares? Nonsense rules in Janesburg anyway, right? Stop Lights are archaic.. They never work. Progressive notions like roundabouts and SUV manufacturing will save Janesville!!!

Good info MOC0428. While I don't live on Milwaukee Street, I do travel it every day. I'm wondering what you (or others) think about the option of changing Milwaukee Street to two lanes, east of Wright Road? The outside lanes could be used for parking and bike lanes. After the last fatality, I read an article that said the traffic volume does not justify four lanes East of Wright Road, and that four lanes give drivers a false sense of safety, hence the speeding. I wonder how much that would cost?

The reason the city hires a consulting company is so we don't end up with another youth sports complex traffic flow so it is money well spent.

This solution is presented specifically for this problem and not an end-all resolution for all of the cities traffic issues. Not only do they need to fix that specific intersection, but they need to slow the overall traffic speed in that area. It will be interesting to see how they integrate a 4-lane thoroughfare(Milwaukee St.) with a two-lane street(Wuthering Hills). Now that's something our city engineers can work on.

no: you should run for office. you would fit right in with the rest of dummies in office now

Don't waste the money on a roundabout. The problem will solve itself as soon as GM closes and everyone moves away.

It does appear that the roundabout solution may not necessarily needed to have involved an outside consultant. That however does not change the fact that something has to be done with this intersection. That being said, and regardless of how much it has cost to make the decision, we have seem to have choices. 1. Do nothing. BUT, post an officer running radar out on Holly Dr, and writing tickets for anyone going more than 5 over. Use that money to fund options two or three. 2. Put in stoplights. Stoplights are great because they give people some advance notice when they need to speed up to "beat the light". They're also easy to see when heading east in the am, or when heading west in the PM. They also have been shown to cost more to install, and require energy to operate. 3. Put in a roundabout. Roundabouts are bad, because they require people to actually slow down, and pay attention to negotiate. I don't like them because they don't require energy to operate, and may cut into the profits of the energy company I have investments with, thereby costing me money by shrinking my dividend checks. I like option 1. Personally, by observing the morons in this town driving in that area daily, I fairly confident that we could have the project paid for by the 4th of July.

I live on Milwaukee street and I'm all for slowing people down. I have seen motor cylcles going in excess of 70 mph by my house, kids racing their cars and the more common "stupid driver" that can't read the speed limit signs. Quite honelsty, I would be all for a roundabout every 3 or 4 blocks on this road. It would slow people down reducing the risk for these types of accidents.

Russ68: The type of accident that may occur in a roundabout can't even be compared to any other intersection where someone may blow through the light or sign. The severity should be much less, c'mon man use your head!

There is a 2-lane roundabout heading out of Whitewater towards Milwaukee on Business 12 (I think). Of course there's rarely a large amount of traffic there...unlike that particular intersection at Wuthering Hills and E. Milwaukee.

For those that are letting their ignorance do the talking:
http://www.roundaboutsusa.com/intro.html...
and
http://www.roundaboutsusa.com/design.htm...

Well if everyone is concerned about people blowing through the lights then make it a stop sign. I think the idea for roundabouts is to save on fuel consumption versus a stop sign or lights.

Testeriffic: I can't believe how ignorant you are! As stated by janesvillean, most cities could not afford to keep a traffic engineer on staff and they would not be busy all the time if they did have one. This is why MOST cities will hire consultants. You talk as if you have all the answers but you can't even understand why we pay consultants!

Also, why do you have to take what stevev and zoom said to the extreme? Janesville does not need a roundabout at every corner, why did you even bring it up.

This is simply a dangerous intersection that needs to be changed. If you are so smart them provide something positive to this or quit posting.

I'm sure Russ68 has a hardtime with driving in general, or he's one of those folks that can be found driving 10mph in 65mph zone

I agree build the roundabout. anyone can run a red light or a stopsign.

I've been through that roundabout many times, and never had a problem with other traffic.

Yes, lets just ignore all the safety data. Do you think there is some sort of roundabout conspiracy? Do you work for a company that sells stop lights?

Before you get all excited about those roundabouts, go try one. I've been through the one over by the new Menard's twice. Both times I was nearly broadsided going through it. I am definitely not drinking the roundabout kool aid that everyone else around here seems to be. I think they are more dangerous than what we already have.

If the consultant was only $1,000, I'd consider it money well spent.

For the money they're talking about, we could buy a new squad car and hire 3 new officers to patrol Milwaukee St. from Wright to Hwy 14 24/7 for 3 years, or until the scofflaws get the idea, and then they could move on to Center Ave., Milton Ave., Belloit Ave.......

Yes, Janesvillian, I use that intersection quite often myself, and I considered the options for safer conditions. But I could not come up with a solution. So I paid my friend from California $1000 bucks (including travel and boarding mind you) to come here to look at the intersection, and he determined that we needed a simple stoplight there. But he had traveled a long way, and felt guily about rendering such a simple solution, so he also recommended a "roundabout", but that was only because he felt like he had to give other options, because I was paying him and stuff. After he left, I agreed with him. Red lights to sporadically stop traffic, thusly allowing the cross-traffic to flow freely while their light was green. Either way, money well spent.

Sheesh. The city hires consultants to do work that requires expertise that is MORE EXPENSIVE to have in-house, like being a traffic engineer. This is effectively a way for MANY cities to share an expense instead of every single one hiring someone who then is underused.
.
A roundabout IS better than a traffic light in many situations, and it should definitely be considered. So what if "the good old traffic light" used to be the standard solution? What kind of an objection is that? Imagine if "the good old Model T" were still the only car design.

Testerific,
No need to be overly dramatic. Data shows that rounabouts are safer, which means fewer accidents, contrary to your assertions. I don't think anyone guaranteed no accidents will happen. Are you trying to say that Janesville drivers are too dumb to figure out roundabouts?

I actually didn't think stop lights were necessary, until I read in the article that this is the most dangerous intersection of it's type in Janesville. A roundabout seems like a good solution, considering Janesville taxpayers will only pay 10% of the cost if the grant is approved.

Roundabouts are a great safety improvementand traffic control suggestion. As the city moves to 1-way Court and Milwaukee streets (hopefully!), let's include this idea for all the 5-point hub intersections (i.e., W. Milwaukee, Center, Court; E. Milwaukee, Milton, Atwood; Wright, E. Milwaukee, Mt. Zion; etc.) ALL would benefit from the change.

Okay, Zoom and Stevev. I will go with your theory. Let's build roundabouts at every intersection in town. Because we all know, there is death and mayhem at every intersection in town. We can just be the first "all roundabout city". And then, when the first knucklehead drives too fast in one of the roundabouts and hits another car, we can yank them all out, and go back to stop lights. That is called...progress

I like the short term solutions. I don't like the city hiring consultants for everything like they do. It seems sometimes we're paying them to hire other people to do a job they should already be qualified for.

It's been shown time and time again that roundabouts are safer than traffic lights. What's to stop some idiot (like the guy who killed Mrs. Bladorn last Sept.) racing down Milwaukee avenue from barrelling through a red light and killing someone else.

Testerrific, I'm not sure what you mean. I never thought a roundabout was a solution until I read the article. As the article states, a roundabaout is cheaper and safer. Do you have a problem with using the best solution to a problem, and saving taxp