FDOT aims to provide roundabout education

The city of Sarasota is still years away from seeing the first two roundabouts installed along the U.S. 41 corridor, but the state is already working to help residents feel more comfortable with the forthcoming traffic features.

On Tuesday, the Florida Department of Transportation held a public information session at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall regarding roundabouts along U.S. 41 at 10th and 14th streets. The two-lane roundabouts are scheduled for construction in 2016; FDOT held the mandated meeting to prepare the community for the changes in store.

“We’re here to educate the public on the benefit of roundabouts,” said Joseph Lauk, FDOT project manager. “The more information you can learn beforehand, the better off you are, as with anything.”

The public was less receptive toward the concept when FDOT initially pitched it in 2011, but Lauk said there’s now broad public support for the project. At Tuesday’s meeting, some attendees questioned how the roundabouts would function with prospective development along the bayfront. Animated simulations with projected traffic increases over the next decade ran during the meeting to illustrate how the roundabouts would work in practice.

Tuesday’s meeting was FDOT’s last scheduled information session regarding the project, though FDOT spokesman Robin Stublen said another would probably be held closer to the completion date. The transportation agency hopes to build some comfort within the community before the work is finished, but Lauk said the roadway would include features — such as signage and road markings — in an attempt to have all drivers intuitively navigate the roundabouts.

In addition, Lauk and Stublen said many residents have already developed an adequate level of comfort using roundabouts.

“There’s more than 5,000 of these in the United States,” Stublen said. “A lot of people are already familiar with them, especially snowbirds.”

The average speed of cars passing through the roundabouts is between 15 and 20 mph, Lauk said, but the U.S. 41 corridor will still maintain its current design speed of 40 mph. Lauk said he believes drivers will be able to adjust to the speed fluctuations and that the layout of the street will prevent drivers from passing through the roundabouts recklessly.

“When you exit out of a roundabout, you’re still going slowly,” Lauk said. “These are about a half-mile apart — getting up to 40 miles per hour would be difficult.”

The roundabouts are the focal point of the project, but other improvements are planned for the roadway. Enhanced landscaping, pedestrian walkways and improved bicycle and public transportation facilities will be installed along with the roundabouts.

As the city has worked to increase its multimodal transportation offerings, Lauk said this aspect of the project has helped win over many residents.

“There’s a lot of public support for the project — especially for the enhanced mobility options,” Lauk said.

Contact David Conway at [email protected]