Sisters gives a roundabout idea a spin

More than 70 people crowded city hall last Wednesday night to listen to a presentation on traffic control alternatives at the Barclay/Highway 20 intersection, given by ODOT and the city's consultants, Kittelson and Associates. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions and voice their opinion on the potential of a roundabout for the Barclay/Highway 20 intersection.

At the conclusion of the meeting, attendees were asked to fill out a "feedback survey' indicating their preference between the two roundabout options or a traffic light. (A copy of the survey can be found with the online version of this story at http://www.nuggetnews.com.)

Copies of the most recent presentation slides and videos as well as the slides from Kittelson's earlier presentations to the city council and county supervisors can be found on the city's website (www.ci.sisters.or.us/). Copies of the "feedback survey" can also be downloaded at the city's site to fill out and mail in. Input will be accepted through Wednesday, November 23.

This city-sponsored workshop was in preparation for a meeting to be held in early December between the city, freight industry representatives and ODOT. At the present time, under intense pressure from the freight lobby, ODOT Director Matt Garrett has banned the consideration of roundabouts on state and federal freight routes. (See The Nugget, October 11, 2011 "Sisters could be pilot study for roundabouts" for a detailed explanation of the issues.)

Gary Farnsworth, ODOT Region 4 area manager, said, "In March we received direction from ODOT Director Matt Garret that staff will halt any consideration of roundabouts on state highways until we are adequately able to evaluate and find solutions for the concerns that the trucking industry has raised.

"There is a nationwide study going on at Kansas State on how roundabouts affect freight trucking. This study was started in 2010, runs until sometime in 2012. Until that study is completed, and until we have a national perspective, we are at a stand-down on roundabouts," said Farnsworth

Each of Kittleson's presentations has been more refined than the last, based on feedback from local citizens. The vocal feedback at this workshop was lively, polite, well-informed, and for the most part, constructive. The major concerns were getting large trucks through the roundabout and getting some kind of traffic control at Locust and Highway 20.

Kittleson's Scott Beaird once again had ample data and videos to show the largest legal oversize trucks able to negotiate the roundabout with no major problems. Two concerns were raised by local businessmen, one with the need to get oversized lumber trucks through a left turn onto Barclay from Highway 20.

The second concern was raised by Art Davis of Davis Tires and Towing. His concern was for rigs over 100 feet. When he tows a semi off Santiam Pass, his total length can be 130 feet. Both ODOT and Kittelson indicated they would contact Davis for more details.

Davis said, "I like them (roundabouts). I've gotten used to the ones in Bend. I have a real question if I can get through them with my truck. I think a roundabout is better than a traffic light."

There is general agreement that traffic control is badly needed on Hwy. 20, both at Locust and Barclay. This has been an issue raised in this and earlier workshops. However, the fact is that the Cascade Avenue upgrade, which is already funded, only includes the Barclay intersection upgrade. At this time there is no funding for the Locust/Hwy. 20 intersection. Traffic control at Locust is on the city TSP and will be addressed, but most likely not until the Cascade Avenue upgrade is complete in late 2013.

City Manager Eileen Stein said, "I was very pleased with the outcome. We had a great mix. It was a very good discussion. It does give us all additional insight into designing, if it truly is a roundabout at this intersection, how we design it to meet the needs everyone comes through."

Mayor Lon Kellstrom kicked of the meeting noting that "...the 2010 TSP specifies the need for intersection control at Highway 20 and Barclay, and at Highway 20 and Locust. The TSP specifies that such intersection control would be accomplished via traffic signals, but it also specifies roundabouts would be studied as an alternative."

Kellstrom emphasized two points that he wanted everyone to remember "One: Cascade Avenue is our main street, and our downtown does define who we are as a community. It is important to preserve this for our economic well-being, our community identity and livability.

"Second," Kellstrom continued, "Cascade Avenue is also U.S. 20, part of the state highway system, and a federally designated freight route. We need to also understand this, and be sensitive to what this means to the state of Oregon in terms of moving freight through our state, and meeting state economic development objectives, and even our own economic development objectives."