Latest news with #roundabouts
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Green Bag roundabouts tied up in court
May 17—MORGANTOWN — For anyone who's been following the Green Bag Road saga, it likely comes as no surprise that the project to construct a pair of roundabouts finds itself parked in court. West Virginia Division of Highways District 4 Manager Earl Gaskins explained as much during a recent conversation with members of the Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization. "The Green Bag Road, as you guys can imagine, we're fighting with right of way on that. Right now we currently have eight parcels we have not acquired. We're moving for eminent domain on that, so we're waiting on the court system, " he said. "One of the things I'm seeing is we're overwhelming the court system. Everybody's busy, and by throwing these eminent domains in, we're overburdening the court system itself, but we're moving forward with that. Everything's looking good. Looks like we'll be able to get these knocked out here pretty soon and we'll get moving on the actual project." Eminent domain is the power of the government to pay fair market value to take private property for public use — even if the property owner doesn't want to sell. Conversation about Green Bag and its potential as a sort of Morgantown bypass for heavy trucks has been going on more than a decade. The discussion took on a different tone starting in 2018-2019 when it became clear the DOH was prescribing roundabouts to address backups at its intersections with Kingwood Pike and Mississippi Street intersections. But roundabouts require land. Notably, some of the land required is owned by the Hastings family and the site of a community garden. The family was outspoken in opposing the plan and ultimately pressured the DOH to conduct an environmental study for a project it initially said was exempt from such consideration. In early 2022, the DOH issued its findings of no significant environmental impact. Even so, a requirement to fund community gardens was attached to the project as a means of addressing the loss of the garden property. The MPO has recently distributed a total of up to $15, 000 to support the establishment of three community gardens. The Green Bag Road project bid was awarded to Mountaineer Contractors on Dec. 6 for $18, 332, 804.40 in December. The DOH previously said work on the project was likely to begin this spring and conclude in the fall of 2027. The Dominion Post reached out to the DOH to ask if work would commence despite the right-of-way delays, but did not receive a response in time for this report. Morgantown Industrial Park access bridge Much like Green Bag Road, Gaskins said the DOH is still working through right-of-way issues for the $59.7 million effort to span the Monongahela River to connect the Morgantown Industrial Park directly to U.S. 119 (Grafton Road). "There are still two parcels we're fighting with. One is the railroad and the other one is a property we'll have to take through eminent domain, " he said. According to Gaskings, Triton Construction has submitted a value engineering plan that would lower the cost to the contractor to build the project. Those plans are currently being reviewed by a third party. "I don't want to be in a position where we can save money and we don't, and I also don't want to be in a position where this engineer and that engineer feel like they're just fighting back and forth, so we requested a third party to take a look at it." As of the end of April, the DOH said steel should start being erected in early next year with completion forecasted for winter 2026. Holland Avenue According to Gaskins, the DOH intends to award a contract to resurface Fairmont Road / Holland Avenue in the 2026 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The project will run from a point near the Wes Mon Plaza to the Joseph Bartolo Memorial Bridge, more commonly known as the Westover Bridge. Gaskins said the DOH is currently waiting on Westover's Holland Avenue stormwater and sewer line replacement project to wrap up. That project is expected to be completed in late June and will leave the road with an asphalt base. Gaskins said the DOH will follow with a full-width overlay. "We also have a project on the Joseph Bartolo Bridge that's being let as we speak. That will involve a deck overlay, drainage corrections, new expansion joints and all that, " he said. "So, you're going to get new pavement on 19 and the bridge will be redecked about that same time. So, hopefully you guys get some long-needed relief over there because I know you've been in pretty rough shape." Other projects In addition to those mentioned above, Gaskins ran through a list of projects and provided their current anticipated completion dates. — Every pothole in Monongalia County: Filled by the end of May. "You've got my word on that, " Gaskins said. — Traffic lights at I-79 Exit 155: August 2025 — Walnut Street Streetscape: August 2025 — University Avenue / Collins Ferry Roundabout: August 15, 2026 — West Run Road between Stewartstown and Point Marion Road: May 10, 2027
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Green Bag roundabouts tied up in court
May 17—MORGANTOWN — For anyone who's been following the Green Bag Road saga, it likely comes as no surprise that the project to construct a pair of roundabouts finds itself parked in court. West Virginia Division of Highways District 4 Manager Earl Gaskins explained as much during a recent conversation with members of the Morgantown Monongalia Metropolitan Planning Organization. "The Green Bag Road, as you guys can imagine, we're fighting with right of way on that. Right now we currently have eight parcels we have not acquired. We're moving for eminent domain on that, so we're waiting on the court system, " he said. "One of the things I'm seeing is we're overwhelming the court system. Everybody's busy, and by throwing these eminent domains in, we're overburdening the court system itself, but we're moving forward with that. Everything's looking good. Looks like we'll be able to get these knocked out here pretty soon and we'll get moving on the actual project." Eminent domain is the power of the government to pay fair market value to take private property for public use — even if the property owner doesn't want to sell. Conversation about Green Bag and its potential as a sort of Morgantown bypass for heavy trucks has been going on more than a decade. The discussion took on a different tone starting in 2018-2019 when it became clear the DOH was prescribing roundabouts to address backups at its intersections with Kingwood Pike and Mississippi Street intersections. But roundabouts require land. Notably, some of the land required is owned by the Hastings family and the site of a community garden. The family was outspoken in opposing the plan and ultimately pressured the DOH to conduct an environmental study for a project it initially said was exempt from such consideration. In early 2022, the DOH issued its findings of no significant environmental impact. Even so, a requirement to fund community gardens was attached to the project as a means of addressing the loss of the garden property. The MPO has recently distributed a total of up to $15, 000 to support the establishment of three community gardens. The Green Bag Road project bid was awarded to Mountaineer Contractors on Dec. 6 for $18, 332, 804.40 in December. The DOH previously said work on the project was likely to begin this spring and conclude in the fall of 2027. The Dominion Post reached out to the DOH to ask if work would commence despite the right-of-way delays, but did not receive a response in time for this report. Morgantown Industrial Park access bridge Much like Green Bag Road, Gaskins said the DOH is still working through right-of-way issues for the $59.7 million effort to span the Monongahela River to connect the Morgantown Industrial Park directly to U.S. 119 (Grafton Road). "There are still two parcels we're fighting with. One is the railroad and the other one is a property we'll have to take through eminent domain, " he said. According to Gaskings, Triton Construction has submitted a value engineering plan that would lower the cost to the contractor to build the project. Those plans are currently being reviewed by a third party. "I don't want to be in a position where we can save money and we don't, and I also don't want to be in a position where this engineer and that engineer feel like they're just fighting back and forth, so we requested a third party to take a look at it." As of the end of April, the DOH said steel should start being erected in early next year with completion forecasted for winter 2026. Holland Avenue According to Gaskins, the DOH intends to award a contract to resurface Fairmont Road / Holland Avenue in the 2026 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The project will run from a point near the Wes Mon Plaza to the Joseph Bartolo Memorial Bridge, more commonly known as the Westover Bridge. Gaskins said the DOH is currently waiting on Westover's Holland Avenue stormwater and sewer line replacement project to wrap up. That project is expected to be completed in late June and will leave the road with an asphalt base. Gaskins said the DOH will follow with a full-width overlay. "We also have a project on the Joseph Bartolo Bridge that's being let as we speak. That will involve a deck overlay, drainage corrections, new expansion joints and all that, " he said. "So, you're going to get new pavement on 19 and the bridge will be redecked about that same time. So, hopefully you guys get some long-needed relief over there because I know you've been in pretty rough shape." Other projects In addition to those mentioned above, Gaskins ran through a list of projects and provided their current anticipated completion dates. — Every pothole in Monongalia County: Filled by the end of May. "You've got my word on that, " Gaskins said. — Traffic lights at I-79 Exit 155: August 2025 — Walnut Street Streetscape: August 2025 — University Avenue / Collins Ferry Roundabout: August 15, 2026 — West Run Road between Stewartstown and Point Marion Road: May 10, 2027
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Is this the WORST roundabout? Despairing residents on 'woke' Isle of Man blast 'crazy' painted oval 'roundel' introduced as part of £26million revamp and insist it is a 'deathtrap'
Frustrated locals living on the Isle of Man have said controversial painted -oval shaped roundabouts introduced as part of a £26million revamp to the Douglas seafront are 'a tragedy waiting to happen'. The 'roundels' sit at junctions along Douglas Promenade connecting Broadway and Church Road Marina, two of the busiest junctions in the city, which is the largest settlement on the island. Locals say that due to the lack of a central island, many drivers treat the curious junctions like any stretch of road and drive straight over the lines causing havoc. Meanwhile pedestrians have also gotten into scrapes with the roundels stepping out into the road as they are unsure who has right of way. A business owner close to one of the junctions told MailOnline the noise pollution and general sense of unease since they were installed has been noticeable. They claimed: 'It's honking every day basically. People aren't sure what the rules are or if there are any rules at all and so they basically all fight each other to get through. 'Other more dangerous drivers just speed straight over them, it's a nightmare really -nobody around here can work out why they introduced them. 'They're a tragedy waiting to happen.' Another local, who preferred to stay anonymous, said the eye-catching designs were indicative of the island trying to 'stand out at all costs'. They said: 'It's pathetic really. Why can't we have normal roundabouts like the rest of the world? 'It seems we always have to be different on this island and that get's tiring after a while. We've already done away with cannabis laws and we're pushing through assisted dying. 'I suppose roundabouts was always going to be next. Let's make them deathtraps!' In April, the Isle of Man became the first place in the British Isles to pass legislation that would permit assisted dying, despite opposition from campaigners. Terminally ill people will be given 'autonomy and choice' at the end of their lives, a GP and politician said. The Bill will now be put forward for royal assent, at which point it will become law. It is the latest departure from the norm for the Crown dependency which has been described as 'the Isle of Woke' for its liberal policies. The Isle is the only place in Britain where medicinal cannabis is legal and many roads on the island have no set speed limit. Island officials have long claimed the roundels were introduced as a 'traffic calming' measure. MailOnline has approached the Isle of Man's Department of Infrastructure for comment. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Isle of Man is taking on a raft of liberal policies from assisted dying to cannabis farms… but what do locals think? by John James and Sophie Carlin It used to be known as the Island of Speed.. but now with the news that assisted dying, votes for 16-year-olds and legalised growth of cannabis have been passed on the island - but what do locals think? In recent weeks, the Manx community of the Isle of Man have been hit with many soul-splintering dilemmas. Should they introduce a blanket 20mph speed limit on the Island? Should they accept the introduction of assisted dying? And should they open their arms to a Wetherspoons? The answer to at least two of those is yes. From last week, the Isle of Man became the first place in the British Isles to pass legislation that would permit assisted dying, despite opposition from campaigners. When the MailOnline visited the self-governing British Crown Dependency earlier this week, the rock was bathed in spring sunlight and the inhabitants were busying themselves. Residents expressed concerns over the island becoming associated with assisted dying. Isle of Woke? The wackiest policies of the Isle of Man Derestricted roads: Many roads on the island have no set speed limit Currency: The Isle of Man has its own banknotes which are legal tender on the island The world's oldest parliament: Tynewald, the IOM parliament, dates back over 1000 years Medicinal cannabis: The Isle of Man is the only place in the British Isles where medicinal cannabis is legal Votes at 16: The Isle of Man is also only area that allows teenagers at school to vote Though the island is only 33 miles long and 13 miles wide, there is a great deal packed into such a small space. The main town is Douglas, on the east coast. Built around a crescent moon of a bay, it has a large and sturdy harbour protecting ships from sea storms. MailOnline spoke to shoppers enjoying themselves on Strand Street which runs parallel to the prom, and many expressed fears about the island's lurch to the left. Student Sean Christian told MailOnline he was dismayed the island could soon add death to its connotations. He explained: 'I just think it's not something we really want to be associated with. With a place with very high suicide rates, it's not something you want to be known for. 'We used to be known for speed, now its taxes, assisted dying and old people retiring.' Long-time resident Kevin Woodford offered a more sage assessment. He said: 'It's complicated. It has to be properly looked after or I fear it will be manipulated. 'I understand the complexities but it has to be controlled. The worst thing that could happen is it becomes this concept of death tourism.' Young couple Logan Gaskell, 24, and Rocky Poole, 26, were broadly for it however, although for differing reasons. Rocky said: 'I'm really for it. People should have the freedom. We are worried about people abusing it. Logan said: 'It doesn't really matter if people abuse it? If someone is dying from ALS, why would you want them to suffer. People should have the choice. Rocky added: 'Also, for people in the UK it could save them a fortune. Rather than go to Switzerland, come to the Isle of Man, if they have a pint at the same time, it would be great for business.' Many of the island's more libertarian policies have been in affect for years and made the island's new inhabitants feel more at home. 27-year-old Harry Matthews recently moved to the island with his dog Woody from Devon. He said: 'Assisted dying is pretty intense, and we can buy weed and vote at 16! It is a respectful place, people will listen to these laws. 'I'm not worried about death tourism. If people want to come here to pop their clogs, that's up to them. I used to live in Devon and just moved here - I love it! 'It's getting more progressive here, we have an independent government so it makes it easier.' Though the island is only 33 miles long and 13 miles wide, there is a great deal packed into such a small space The island is likely to become the first part of the British Isles to legalise assisted dying, after its proposed legislation was voted through by the parliament's upper chamber. Members of what is known as its legislative council approved a final reading of the Assisted Dying Bill on Tuesday. Terminally ill people will be given 'autonomy and choice' at the end of their lives, a GP and politician said. The Bill will now be put forward for royal assent, at which point it will become law. Dr Alex Allinson, the member of the House of Keys - the directly elected lower house on the island - who introduced the private member's bill in 2022, said he is hopeful it can become law later this year. But even if it does successfully go into law, an assisted dying service would not be in place until 2027 at the earliest. The introduction of the UK's first assisted dying bill already places the Isle of Man as an outlier in terms of health policy, however the island's local MP insists that as with all the island's out there policies due consideration will be given. Speaking to MailOnline, Alex Allison insisted that the island's new bill would be properly scrutinised and pointed to a number of places where the island was soaring ahead of the UK. He claimed: 'I have been realistic to say that within the bill, although it's been passed, we do need to get quite a lot of secondary legislation 'We do need to make sure we've got the right guidelines, codes of practice, and most countries that bring in assisted dying, it's taken them a good 18 months to two years to do all that sort of work, but also to do the right amount of public education, the right amount of training for people who are going to be involved with providing the service. 'And so, certainly, you know, I've said, you know, if you get royal assent this year, I wouldn't expect it to come into operation [indistinguishable] until 2027. 'We bought our ferry company a couple of years ago, just before Covid, it just seemed like a very good idea at the time. 'We've got our own nationalised water industry that we've never sold off and are investing in. So, we've got cleaner waters than the UK which has obviously become an issue there. 'And so we've looked at those areas which would benefit from public-private partnership and those elements that really should be within a government ownership.'
Jordan Times
09-02-2025
- Automotive
- Jordan Times
Which is more efficient: traffic lights or roundabouts
Roundabouts and traffic lights serve as two different methods of traffic control, and the trend of replacing traffic lights with roundabouts is gaining traction in urban traffic planning in certain areas. The choice is motivated by several factors, though the decision to replace one with the other depends on various factors like traffic intensity, safety, space, and cost. Above all the country in question. Jordan is our example. One of the primary reasons for favouring roundabouts over traffic lights is the improvement in safety. Studies show that roundabouts significantly reduce the number of serious collisions compared to signalised intersections. This is because roundabouts eliminate high-speed head on crashes, replacing them with lower-speed, side collisions that are generally less severe. In Jordan disregarding red light is more likely than in developed countries, so risk is far greater. Roundabouts are designed to improve the flow of traffic. Unlike traffic signals that require vehicles to stop, roundabouts allow continuous movement, reducing idle time and fuel consumption. This is particularly beneficial during off-peak hours and holidays when vehicles would otherwise stop unnecessarily at traffic lights. With fewer stops and starts, roundabouts tend to lower fuel consumption and emissions, in particular our public buses with black diesel fumes like a coal powered chimney. Also, Vehicles spend less time idling, leading to a reduction in air pollution, which is particularly important in urban areas aiming to meet environmental standards and public health. While roundabouts may have a higher initial construction cost due to land acquisition or road design changes, they are generally more cost-effective in the long run. They do not require electricity for traffic lights, and they have lower maintenance costs. Maintenance, bureaucracy and quick responses are usually an issue in Jordan. However, Roundabouts often require more physical space than traffic lights, making them impractical for densely built urban areas. Urban planners need to evaluate the availability of land and the feasibility of constructing a roundabout, particularly at complex intersections. Yet, when they already exist in Jordan, it is a great loss to destroy them and erect traffic lights. While roundabouts improve vehicle safety, they can present challenges for pedestrians and cyclists, especially in areas with high pedestrian traffic. Special considerations, such as pedestrian, tunnels, bridges, crosswalks and signals, are sometimes needed to ensure the safety of non-vehicular traffic. In areas where roundabouts are uncommon, which is not the case in Jordan, this can lead to initial confusion and potentially increase the risk of accidents until drivers adapt to the new system. However, a pedestrian or a bike accident can be much more serious on traffic lights. However, roundabouts do not fit all solutions. They work best for moderate traffic volumes and may not handle heavy traffic as efficiently as traffic lights during peak hours. In such cases, traffic lights might still be the better option. In countries like the United Kingdom, France and Australia, roundabouts have long been part of traffic management. The United States has recently begun adopting roundabouts in place of traffic signals, with cities like Carmel California and Indiana State leading the way, having more than 100 roundabouts. Cities in other parts of the world are also exploring this shift as part of efforts to create more sustainable and safer urban environments. In conclusion, roundabouts are increasingly being considered as replacements for traffic lights in urban traffic planning, but their implementation depends on specific local conditions, including traffic patterns, cost, environmental concerns, urban design, and available space. While they offer significant safety, environmental, and cost benefits, roundabouts may not be suitable for every intersection or city. A careful evaluation of both short- and long-term factors for Jordan, in dense traffic urban areas, is essential in determining whether roundabouts should replace traffic lights in any given area.
