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Frisco to host public discussions on roundabouts March 21
The city has proposed three roundabouts on Ohio Drive -- at Gaylord Parkway, Prestmont Place and Warren Parkway -- although they have not yet been approved by the Frisco City Council. Rendering courtesy of the city of Frisco.
By Anthony Tosie, atosie@starlocalnews.com, @anthonytosie on Twitter
The city of Frisco will be hosting public discussions on roundabouts 5-9 p.m. March 21 in an effort to talk to residents about their thoughts and concerns for the proposed intersections.
Clark Middle School, 4600 Colby Drive, will serve as host for the discussions, which the city is referring to as a "come-and-go" event. Residents will be able to stop by on their own time and speak with city traffic officials regarding three proposed roundabouts on Ohio Drive at Gaylord Parkway, Prestmont Place and Warren Parkway.
The proposal of the three multi-lane roundabouts was first brought up for City Council discussion at an Oct. 22 workshop. Then at its Nov. 26 meeting, the council was updated on the status of the roundabouts, and council members expressed optimism for the proposal.
Federico Mendoza, a traffic engineer for Brown & Gay, said at the Nov. 26 meeting that roundabouts could help improve motorist safety at the intersections.
"We looked at roundabouts basically because of the safety benefits," he said. "They have the benefit of reducing crashes, especially the more severe ones. Crash reduction data shows that up to 90 percent of crash fatalities can be reduced through the use of roundabouts."
Council members previously expressed some slight reservations about the proposal, but most seem to be in favor of the roundabouts now.
Last month, Mayor Maher Maso and Council Member John Keating visited Carmel, Ind., which now has more than 80 roundabouts -- the most of any city in the United States. Maso said that using the Carmel roundabouts made him a firm believer in the proposed Ohio Drive roundabouts.
"We drove around and experienced several teardrop ones that are actually over the freeway," he said at a Feb. 19 City Council meeting. "It was an eye-opener and seemed to work well. Traffic moved -- it almost seemed like there was less traffic."
Several residents have made statements for or against the proposed roundabouts at City Council meetings in the past three months, although some seemed confused between roundabouts (which feature yield signs) and traffic circles (which use stop signs).
At the March 21 event, residents will be able to obtain materials about roundabouts to familiarize themselves with the form of intersection.
The roundabouts have not yet been formally approved by the City Council, although their approval is expected. Once approved, a roundabout would likely be constructed at the Ohio intersection with Warren before the other two are created.
For more information about the proposed roundabouts, click here.
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