SR 260 roundabouts designed to increase safety, increase capacity
SR 260 roundabouts designed to increase safety, increase capacity
PHOENIX – When the Arizona Department of Transportation completes a $62 million project widening 9 miles of State Route 260 between Camp Verde and Cottonwood, motorists will use seven modern roundabout intersections designed to improve traffic flow while reducing the risk of serious crashes.
“Roundabouts are a great alternative to the traditional intersection,” said Alvin Stump, district engineer for ADOT’s Northwest District. “While they may be a change, the safety benefits cannot be ignored.”
These circular intersections with no traffic signals have just eight conflict points where crashes can occur, versus 32 in a traditional intersection. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, modern roundabouts provide a 90 percent reduction in fatal crashes, a 75 percent reduction in injury crashes and reductions in crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists.
They also increase traffic flow, which reduces fuel consumption and pollution, and increase traffic capacity.
The modern roundabouts being installed along SR 260 will accommodate tractor-trailers and other large vehicles, with a truck apron in the center helping the largest vehicles stay in their lane.
Work is proceeding on modern roundabouts at SR 260 and Thousand Trails Road, Coury Drive, Cherry Creek Road, Horseshoe Bend Drive, Wilshire Road and two locations that will accommodate future development.
When approaching a roundabout, slow down and yield to traffic inside the intersection. Look left, proceed into the roundabout when there’s a gap in traffic and follow the circle to your exit.
Roundabouts are used elsewhere in the Verde Valley, in the Phoenix metro area and in many other places around Arizona, including US 89 in Page and Cameron, State Route 89 in Prescott and Chino Valley, and US 95 in San Luis. ADOT is building two modern roundabouts at the Araby Road (US 195) interchange with Interstate 8 in Yuma.
To learn more about roundabouts and how to use them, visit azdot.gov/roundabouts.