Roundabout needs a redo at Rio Grande/Candelaria

(LAST) WEEKEND, for the first time, I went through the Rio Grande roundabout at Candelaria. I was impressed that I could easily have had an accident. Of course, time will tell if my experience was unique.

I am not a city planner with years of experience; however, I think the people … who designed the roundabout could have benefited by looking at roundabouts in other cities. … The roundabouts on Hilton

Head Island require both cross streets to be at least 4 lanes for an ideal configuration.

Rio Grande Boulevard could be four lanes both north and southbound, but because Candelaria is only three lanes, the ideal configuration cannot be used. This means that the Hilton Head model needs to be modified at this intersection. Currently, both Rio Grande Boulevard and Candelaria are two lanes in either direction and all traffic must enter the roundabout. Rio Grande Boulevard south of the roundabout could be enlarged back to four lanes and Candelaria could be enlarged back to three lanes on either side of the roundabout. This would allow for a dedicated right turn lane from Candelaria southbound onto Rio Grande and a dedicated right turn lane on Rio Grande northbound onto Candelaria. By including the two right-turn lanes, traffic making right turns at two of the four entries to the roundabout would not have to enter the roundabout, thus reducing traffic in the roundabout. Cars making right turns would also avoid the dangerous roundabout.

… On a somewhat related issue, I have been thinking that if the city really thinks the Rio Grande roundabout is so great and will reduce traffic accidents, it should do the same thing to several other intersections that are more dangerous.

I would choose the San Mateo/Montgomery intersection in the (Northeast) Heights as an example where the Rio Grande roundabout concept could be expanded. Using the Rio Grande roundabout as an example, both San Mateo and Montgomery would narrow down to one lane in either direction and all the turn lanes eliminated. Of course, dangerous traffic lights would also be eliminated and the speed limit could be reduced to 15 mph. If this sounds absurd, then you might understand how I feel about the Rio Grande roundabout.

DR. JOEL SALAND Albuquerque