SALT LAKE CITY -- More roundabouts could be coming to Salt Lake City, according to Mayor Ralph Becker.
Becker has just returned from the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Dallas Texas. He had the opportunity to discuss issues with more than 1,000 mayors from cities across the country.
He said the two most prominent issues are education and climate change.
“One thing we look at with different cities comparing notes is what’s working and what’s not working,” Becker said. “One mayor in a city in Indiana has taken out street lights and put in all roundabouts and it’s working in his community.”
Becker understands that every city is different, but he likes the idea of adding more roundabouts here in Salt Lake City.
“’I’m hopeful it can be one of the solutions we can bring to the table to address traffic congestion and air quality and most importantly provide safer conditions on our roads,” Becker said.
However, Jenni Cameron is not in favor of the roundabout outside her house at the intersection of 1000 East and Hollywood Avenue.
She put heavy duty boulders into her front yard to stop any kind of cars that may accidentally veer out of control.
“A situation like this they don’t understand, they are heading toward our property faster than ever,” Cameron said.
There are skid marks along the roundabout where it’s been hit. However, neighbor Jennifer Pinkowski said the roundabouts aren’t the issue.
“You don’t have to be literate to get around the roundabout, I don’t think the roundabout is the problem, I think the people’s driving is really the big problem,” Pinkowski said.
Becker said this is a matter that he will be discussing with the city’s transportation department and at this time he is not mentioning any specific intersections he believes would be a good candidate for a roundabout.
