Racine County multi-lane roundabout opening this week
December 5, 2007
Tips will help drivers navigate the new roundabout
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Southeast Regional Office is announcing the opening of the multi-lane roundabout at the intersection of WIS 38 and County K in Racine County. The roundabout will be officially open to traffic on Friday, December 7, 2007.
Work began in early June on this $2.7 million project to improve WIS 38 from Racine to the Oak Creek Road/intersection of County K. In addition to constructing a roundabout, crews upgraded remaining intersections in the project area and reconstructed County K to a four-lane roadway.
Brochures offering instructions on navigating the roundabout are available at the Caledonia municipal offices, W. Allen Gifford Elementary School and the Franksville US Bank. General information on roundabouts.
Motorists are reminded of these important tips when driving in a roundabout:
- All traffic circulates counterclockwise in the roundabout.
- Choose your lane before entering a roundabout and stay in your lane.
- Motorists yield to traffic in the roundabout prior to selecting a gap and entering and use their right turn signal only when exiting the roundabout.
- Motorists must yield to pedestrians before entering and when exiting the roundabout.
- Large vehicles (trucks) may need additional room within the roundabout. Large trucks may use the colored concrete truck apron in the center of the roundabout when making left turns. Be aware of this and drive accordingly.
- Always yield to emergency vehicles; however, if you are already in the roundabout, exit the roundabout and then pull over to the right lane, allowing the emergency vehicle to pass.
- Bicyclists may use the crosswalks or ride through the roundabout using the center of the lane (traffic speeds will accommodate this).
- Pedestrians must always use the sidewalk and crosswalk.
Roundabouts move traffic safely and efficiently through an intersection with slower speeds, fewer conflict points, and easy decision making. Studies have shown that roundabouts reduce the number of fatal crashes, personal injury crashes, pedestrian crashes and bicycle crashes.
Organizations interested in having WisDOT provide a presentation on roundabouts and how to drive the new WIS 38 and County K roundabout should contact Bao Tran, project manager, at (262) 548-8795 or through e-mail at bao.tran@dot.state.wi.us.
For more information, contact:
Bao Tran, project manager
(262) 548-8795
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