Roundabout Plans Causing Consternation In Solon
Solon has concerns about Twinsburg's plans to install two roundabouts near the cities' borders.
Twinsburg's plans to build two roundabouts on Darrow Road are causing some concerns north of the border in Solon.
The concerns came about in Solon as council members there are looking to hire a new traffic engineering firm. One of the companies up for the contract is GPD, which is designing the roundabouts for Twinsburg.
Solon councilmen have said that while they understand Twinsburg is relying on the judgement of their experts, Solon officials have general concerns about what the roundabouts will do to traffic in their city.
Solon Councilman Rick Bell said that Solon has a traffic light just over the border that cost the city $250,000. He's uncertain how that light will be affected by the roundabouts.
He said that GPD is already being paid by Twinsburg for the roundabouts, and he is uncertain if they have Solon's best interest in mind since the company is in favor of the roundabouts.
"They are being paid by another city without respect for how it impacts our city," Bell said.
Many Twinsburg residents have also been leery of the roundabouts, which are scheduled to be built in two phases. The plan is to build two roundabouts on Darrow Road, the first at Glenwood Drive and the second at Meadowood Boulevard and Ethan's Drive.
The project is expected to cost about $8 million, with the city paying about $1.6 million and the rest paid for with grants.
The first roundabout is expected to be built in 2014.
Larry Brastoff
11:11 am on Thursday, February 21, 2013
I think someone should mind their own business
Scott Darpel
12:23 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Ah, but it IS their business, especially those who live near the proposed northern roundabout. You see, much like the traffic firm's data did not include the left turn traffic and impacts from Sherwin, Warren Parkway and the Deer Run Apartments, so too was it light on data about how they would integrate with that traffic light. These folks did NOT look at the greater traffic system, only the area within 100 feet. It is insufficient, but my requests for more detailed studies has not yet been answered publicly.
77buttons
9:47 pm on Thursday, February 21, 2013
Interesting that the first roundabout is scheduled for 2014. There hasn't been much advance news of this. Residents were encouraged to view a video about the Green Township roundabout, but there are major differences. The intersection there is not a four-way intersection; traffic volume seems lighter; population density is much less. Major questions I have about the roundabout center on left turn and impacts at Sherwin, Warren Parkway and Deer Run Apartments. Also, since the second proposed roundabout is only 0.5 miles from the Solon border and the traffic light there, how will that affect traffic flow?
Scott Darpel
3:34 pm on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
77buttons - questions I share, as well. I talked with councilman Rodin, and he does have some concerns, or at least understood them, and wanted answers. He shared that there were more studies that were going to be performed, but I don't believe those studies have either been completed or released.
I'm a systems thinker, and what concerns me as they drew the border line on the "impacted zone" too narrowly. I know, there are state guidelines for this, BUT, to me, they are not considering the appropriately sized traffic system (side road traffic, etc). I have no doubt traffic AT the intersections will be safer and flow more evenly. At what cost, however, to those other roads, driveways, etc? I worry about people taking greater chances to turn left.