Friday, Dec. 07, 2007

December 6

Dear Editor:

Last week’s letter from Chris Childs called for “improvements” to Glade and Cheek-Sparger roads.

What defines “improvements?” The same old six-lane road rubbish that allows container trucks to speed through Colleyville residential neighborhoods? Or is it the thrill of spending citizens’ tax dollars to install these large roads, which derive no direct economic benefit back to us?

Or perhaps the writer means to say that an improvement would be defined as moving traffic. OK, I’m on board with that, but not in the manner of larger roads with dubious signalization timing.

For anyone who has traveled abroad, you surely have noticed how effectively traffic moves with roundabouts.

In Colorado, former signalization on State Hwy. 6 was removed in favor of roundabouts. Considering the large amount of tourist traffic that floods that area during ski season, which includes Vail and Beaver Creek, it is telling that the cities removed signalization in favor of roundabouts at most intersections. Roundabouts are less expensive to install, greatly reduce crash fatalities, lessen wait time and roundabouts can be beautiful. Given all these benefits, quite frankly, if Colleyville has to spend our tax dollars for road “improvements,” installing roundabouts at our intersections would give the result and impact without the high price. That is something everyone would appreciate.

— Renee Lawrance, Colleyville