Amador County – Amador County Transportation Commissioners delved into the scope of an engineering design project it approved last week for the Pine Grove Corridor Improvement Project, which included roundabouts as an option some commissioners did not expect.

Dokken Engineering President Richard Liptak, whose company was awarded a contract by ACTC, said that to win the project, his traffic engineering consultant, Fehr & Peers ran models of roundabouts that gave a 40 percent increase in traffic operations. The object of the project is to streamline traffic flow by adding turn lanes and other features.

Commissioner Dave Richards said it was the first time they have heard about roundabouts. Commissioner Keith Sweet said roundabouts were part of presentations made to the selection committee.

Supervisor Richard Forster said roundabouts in England and Scotland are bigger than ours, and bigger seems to be better. Commissioner David Plank said he learned to drive on the first traffic “circle” in Little Ferry, New Jersey, and the state’s “roundabouts handle a tremendous amount of traffic.” Plank said the size might be limiting to large hay trucks coming down 88 from Nevada.

Michael Vasquez noted strong opposition to roundabouts in Plymouth, and asked who decides whether to include roundabouts.

Liptak said they can make the design include both signalized intersections and roundabouts. Commission Chairman, Supervisor John Plasse asked if they could say they do not want to put in the roundabouts.

Program Manager Neil Peacock said it is Caltrans’ final decision, but: “I’d rather look at it as a collaborative decision,” using both options in the decision. Liptak said a traffic signal costs about $250,000, and a roundabout costs more because it is bigger, and requires more right-of-way acquisition.

Liptak plans to hold four public workshops to take input, and Dokken will go to every one of the 90 property owners on Highway 88 in Pine Grove, to show them their property line maps and how their parking and lines fall along the highway right-of-way. Stakeholder Working Group meetings will continue, and he intends public workshops to get input from people on what they want to see in the project, so they can show people their ideas as the designs develop and get revised.

Plasse asked if designs would take into consideration the proposed new firehouse location at Mount Zion Road and 88, because the land is owned and building is anticipated. Peacock said it is in the plans.

Plasse also asked why controlled intersections were not “called out” at Volcano and Tabeau road intersections. Plank asked about parking remedies, with potential loss of existing parking. Liptak said a number of options would be discussed, including parallel parking or roads on the back sides of businesses. He said they will count the parking spaces before and after improvements are added.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.