Roundabouts are good

In response to: “Plans for new Northside Costco include Highway 2 roundabout.”

Who’s afraid of a roundabout? I certainly am not. Quite the opposite, I was excited to hear that the Washington State Department of Transportation is considering creating a roundabout instead of a light on Highway 2.

While they’re at it, I would love to see them place small roundabouts, as they have in Seattle, in the numerous uncontrolled intersections throughout the city. This will reduce drivers who speed through side streets. (Here I must complain of my own neighborhood, Browne’s Addition, where drivers cruise down Second Avenue like an arterial.)

However, I need only reiterate the safety aspects of roundabouts (the research and common sense speaks for itself). Roundabouts reduce T-bone collisions. Yet, I am reminded of the unusually high level of passion for which Spokanites approach reducing their commute time (i.e., being outraged about losing 30 seconds while taking Monroe Street), so I implore those time-saving commuters to consider this: no stops.

In my experience, stoplights are the sole reason why traveling on North Nevada and North Division feels like a slog instead of a highway (as they are designated). Give roundabouts a try! You might just make up that 30 seconds from Monroe.

Paul Lee

Spokane