Does Norwalk Need a Roundabout? No, But ODOT Thinks We Do!

Disadvantages of Roundabouts:

• One Size Does Not Fit All – ODOT’s proposed roundabout is not well suited for heavy truck, agricultural and construction vehicles and is not designed to accommodate high volume special event traffic.

• A 2016 study revealed more property damage accidents were being caused in roundabouts than intersections.

• Emergency Vehicle Priority– No priority to emergency vehicles. Roundabouts give equal treatment to every approach.

• Yield Confusion– Property damage crashes often increase due to confusion about yielding upon entry and exact vehicle path for each turning movement. In some cases, the increase in property damage crashes can result in an increase in the overall number of total crashes at a site.

• Unbalanced Traffic Flow– At peak hours, for heavy truck traffic and for high traffic volume special events, roundabouts do not work well because excessive traffic from one direction with right of way can completely stop all other traffic causing congestion in other directions.

• Bad Weather Navigation– Roundabout entries can be difficult to navigate, particularly in areas prone to lots of snow and ice. Stopping a passenger car or a heavy commercial vehicle in rough weather conditions is tough and can be even more challenging by adding in a roundabout curve in the road.

• Difficult Pedestrian Crossing– Difficult to cross for pedestrian with vision impairments. Individuals with low vision or that are blind will have difficulty determining when traffic is yielding to them to cross.

We urge you to reach out to ODOT District Environment Coordinator, Mr. Donald Rostofer and insist that common sense prevail. State your objection to the roundabout. If not, business on the Route 20 Corridor will be harmfully impacted!

Please contact:

Ohio Department Of Transportation, District 3

906 Clark Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805

Phone: (419) 207-7178

E-mail: Donald.Rostofer@dot.ohio.gov

This advertisement was paid for by concerned trucking, agricultural, construction and entertainment companies located and doing business in Norwalk, Ohio.