The measure of the value of roundabouts is how it handles peak traffic.
Ask yourself this question: Who do you know that wants to be slowed down going to or from the city, for any reason?
I think the dumbest statement I have ever heard is that if traffic is slowed down, it will make the drivers want to go for a stroll or do some shopping downtown.
I travelled 5th Ave. for 17 years with little or no problems and never once thought to myself, "Gee! Wouldn't it be nice if we could drive around in a circle and play chicken with hundreds of other cars while giving everyone the opportunity to display driver courtesy. No no! You go first! Go ahead. I was stopped anyway."
This is Prince George! Don't any of you people drive? The fact that you plan to blow $2 million fixing something that works only adds to the frustration.
What is the reason behind this lunacy? Do all the the councillors own property or businesses downtown? Who is behind this push to rejuvenate the downtown?
If we wanted downtown shopping, we wouldn't all be going to the malls where there is plenty of free parking, good prices and a large number of businesses in a small area.
Slowing down drivers will simply give them more reason to avoid the downtown.
I admire bravery, even it is of Don Quixote variety, but these roundabouts will be driving us nuts for years, forever reminding us to get even at the next election. No money for school buses but millions for businesses that should be let die if the public won't patronize them.
Last Christmas day I drove a friend downtown and went home by way of the Cameron St. bridge. It was early evening, traffic was light and there was about six inches of new snow.
The tire tracks of the vehicle just ahead of me went directly ahead from the bridge, over the centre of the roundabout, and turned left onto Nechako Rd., leaving a mangled traffic sign in its wake.
I was amazed to see that the roundabout was invisible under the snow.
I went onto the roundabout and tried to signal that I was turning right but my truck refused to signal right while the truck was turning left.
Maybe an RCMP officer with a camera should be installed in the middle of the roundabout with a camera to record all happenings. Naw! He would be run over in the first rush hour.
Jack Paul
Prince George
