Cornelius will be going in circles, 7 of them
IT LOOKS LIKE 7 TRAFFIC CIRCLES WILL BE COMING TO CORNELIUS IN THE NEAR FUTURE
By Dave Vieser. Back in 1969, there was a hit song recorded by the Friends of Distinction, called “Going in Circles.” Cornelius motorists may want to dig up a copy and put it on their iPhones for musical background as they navigate no less than seven traffic circles which are slated to be built in town within the next several years.
Traffic circles have proven to be safer than regular signalized intersections, and the estimated $36 million cost will be paid for by the state. However, their installation on heavily used roads will be a big change for local drivers.
Here’s what’s currently planned for Cornelius, starting with those to be built on existing thoroughfares:
1. Twin circles at US 21 and Catawba Avenue: This was hotly debated but the NCDOT finally decided to construct two circles. One will be on 21 (Statesville Road) near the entrance to the Lucky Dog Bar south of Catawba, while the other will be north of Catawba near the old Days Inn site. Left turns off of Catawba Avenue onto 21 (Westbound going North, and Eastbound going South) will be eliminated. You’ll have to turn right, use the circle, and then head towards your destination.
Construction Cost $9.3 million
Estimated Construction Start Date Spring 2021
Estimated Construction Duration 2 years.
2. Torrence Chapel Road/Liverpool Parkway: Three separate circles are planned: One will be at the entrance to the Fresh Market/Stein Mart shopping center, a second at the intersection of Knox Road and Torrence Chapel Road, and the third will be south of Catawba at the intersection of Liverpool Parkway and Chartwell Center Drive, next to the Cornelius Post Office.
Construction Cost $11.8 million
Estimated Construction Start Date Spring 2021
Estimated Construction Duration 2 years
3. NC 115/North Main and Potts Road: This traffic circle will be on the border with Davidson and will eliminate the left turns on 115 whereturning motorists often create congestion.
Construction Cost $3.4 million
Estimated Construction Start Date Spring 202
Estimated Construction Duration 2 years
4. Northcross Drive extension and Westmoreland Road: Northcross Drive is to be extended northward from Huntersville, terminating at Westmoreland Road near Eagle Way Drive in a new traffic circle.
Construction cost $11.7 million
Estimated Construction Start Date Spring 2021
Estimated Construction Duration 2 years
But, wait, there’s more. NCDOT is considering a roundabout at the intersection of a new Bailey Road Extension, the existing Bailey Roadd and Poole Place Drive, though a final decision has not yet been made.
Whether economic conditions generated by the coronavirus pandemic impact the timetable remains to be seen. For more information on traffic circles, visit:
https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/Transportation/safety-mobility/roundabouts/Pages/default.aspx
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I am so glad that I am moving from this backwards town.
If you are going west on Catawba you will have to go around the circle to go left or south on 21; if you are going east on Catawba you will have to go around the circle to go left or north. Based on how you describe it all you have to do is turn right in both cases.
7 reasons to stay on my side of the
Lake.
When I can no longer make left turns from Torrence Chapel onto Catawba my house will be going on the market. The overarching reason behind this ridiculous design is the flow (or lack thereof) of traffic across the bridge. Since I’m not a DOT traffic engineer my thoughts don’t count BUT…Seems like ramps at Westmoreland would virtually eliminate at least 1/2 the traffic at exit 28. Then, no need for circles.
why not have a clover leaf at exit 28 like most of the country has? That way they eliminate the crisscross bridge and 2 lights. Stop with the 2 circles on 21. It makes no sense at all.
People using the road make mistakes (like running stop signs and red lights), always have and always will. Crashes will always be with us, but they need not result in fatalities or serious injury.
Modern roundabouts are the safest form of intersection in the world – the intersection type with the lowest risk of fatal or serious injury crashes – (much more so than comparable signals). Modern roundabouts require a change in speed and alter the geometry of one of the most dangerous parts of the system – intersections.
The reduction in speed to about 20 mph and sideswipe geometry mean that, when a crash does happen at a modern roundabout, you might need a tow truck, but rarely an ambulance. Visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for modern roundabout FAQs and safety facts.
Modern Roundabouts are one of several proven road safety features (FHWA).
The life saved may be your own.
https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/provencountermeasures/roundabouts/
https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/intersection/innovative/roundabouts/
I work with engineers and they will never admit bad judgement and don’t like criticism. these designs are not helping the traffic at all. If we change the bridge from the Chris cross pattern and add clover leaf on 77 so you would have the option to go east exit before the bridge and add a loop after the bridge to go west. they could do most of the work while traffic continue to flow and they could eliminate both lights on the exit 28 bridge. this is a traffic pattern tried and tested all over the country. get rid of the unnecessary Chris cross bridge. this idea would also most likely be less expensive as well
The bridge is not the problem and actually helps the safety and traffic flow in the area. The real issues are the lack of road capacity in the Lake Norman region. Most roads are 2 lane roads with no left or right turn lanes to let traffic continue at speed.
These road capacity issues that we are facing is a byproduct of having a state run DOT with little to no county or local authority. Also the fact that NC state law prohibits the collection of impact fees on developers and builders exasperates the funding problem in this state. We citizens inherit the problems that takes the state 20+ years to eventually solve.