A Weekly Note from Mayor Gary L. Graham
“Traditional Values, Progressive Thinking”
Work on the new Obernuefemann Road and State Street Roundabout is scheduled to begin this week. Once construction begins, please be cautious when approaching the intersection as construction equipment; workers and vehicles don’t always mix well together. While the intersection is to remain open during the construction project, there may be times when it is temporarily closed in order to complete segments of the project. To avoid delays, residents are strongly encouraged to choose an alternate route to their destination.
Because the roundabout will be a new traffic feature in O’Fallon, you may be wondering how you will safely navigate through it. In addition to this column, a wealth of information is available on the City’s web site at http://www.ofallon.org/Public_Documents/OFallonIL_PublicWorks/Traffic_Topics/trafficindex, including a great instructional video. Please be patient when viewing the video on the web site as it is a very large file and may take some time to download. The video is also airing on O’Fallon’s Charter Channel 10 immediately following the re-broadcast of the City Council Meeting and City Talk.
Navigation Tips:
· As you approach the new roundabout from State Street, Obernuefemann Road, or North Green Mount Road, you will see signage that indicates the proper use of the roundabout. The diamond shaped sign means you are approaching a roundabout. The triangle shaped sign is a yield sign.
· The main navigation tip in using a roundabout is that you should reduce your speed to 20 mph and remember that vehicles approaching the roundabout should yield to vehicles and pedestrians that are already in it.
· Before you move into the roundabout, check for any other vehicles to your left. If there is a vehicle to your left, it is already in the roundabout and has the right of way. After the other vehicle has passed, you may go.
· Pedestrians always have the right of way in the roundabout. If pedestrians are in the crosswalk, you must stop and let them cross. The crosswalks will be clearly painted on the pavement at each roundabout entry point. Once the pedestrian has crossed, you can move forward cautiously.
· If another vehicle is in the roundabout, that vehicle has the right of way and you must yield to them.
· However, if two vehicles arrive at the roundabout at the same time, they can both safely navigate through without needing to yield to each other.
· As you are exiting the roundabout, it’s important that you make sure your right turn signal is on to let other vehicles know you are leaving.
· If an emergency vehicle such as a fire truck, ambulance, or police car arrives in the roundabout behind you, you should proceed through the roundabout and pull to the right as soon as you can safely do so after exiting the roundabout.
We think you will find the navigation of the new roundabout to be very user friendly. Traffic delays will be greatly reduced and you will be able to get to your destinations more quickly. In addition to better traffic flow, the roundabout will also provide a much safer environment for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The strong working relationship between City Hall and the residents we serve is yet another example of why O’Fallon is such a great community in which to live.
| 
