Fairview Road and Chapel Hill Road roundabout project

Finally!

Yes! This project is desperately needed! We are a car-based community and I hope the council doesn’t get scared off by the NIMBY rich folks with their part-time daycare privilege kid drop off worries this time around!

This area deserves a traffic light. There is more to consider with the type of traffic in this area.

This has been a reoccurring foreseen project for several years in this community and has gotten pushed back for several reasons that are very valid. One way or another it seems there is a change that needs to be made to this intersection because the need for it keeps coming up. I agree with others that have said this area deserves traffic lights over a roundabout. Many residents and business owners residing nearby have disagreed with the roundabout and seeking a traffic light would be not only a compromise, but more efficient in this area of traffic as well. Roundabouts work especially poorly with unbalanced traffic each way because the busy street will build up much more quickly than with a traffic light. This unbalance of traffic is seen on this intersection of Chapel Hill and Fairview around rush hour times where the traffic build up is going down Chapel Hill. This is something to look at and take into consideration before thinking a roundabout will be a good call, because it will greatly be put to the test during the times 4-6 pm. Roundabouts beat lights in terms of cost, but is this really a place to cut cost? As many families use this intersection in their commute to/from work and to pick up their kids from the schools/daycares nearby. I agree it can be a busy intersection, but if we need to make a change let’s invest in making the most efficient and safer change. Another aspect to look at is how roundabouts function differently based on driving culture. They work well in most european countries but as a Columbia resident that uses the one on Forum and Green Meadows daily in their commute, I can tell you that I have experienced them being used incorrectly more so than not. Thank goodness this one has a double lane and signals, but still not the best fit for a town that is considered a college town (no insult toward our younger residents here, but they do naturally have less driving experience). If a change is to be made to this area looking at a traffic light system over a roundabout would be such a better fit for this area of traffic and it is well deserving of one.

Fix Fairview Elem, Drop off/pick up before this!

Been traveling this road every day for 22 years. The Fairview/Rollins roundabout is horrible and doesn't "fix" congestion or add safety to Fairview Elementary. This roundabout will be similar. The additional curbs/medians will only be confusing and end up causing problems. After 22 years of driving this road multiple times a day (like 2-3 times per day, 12-15 X's per week), I have seen very few accidents or issues. Even when there were the "walking school buses" years ago. Yes, traffic backs up in the morning and around 5-6pm but that's happening all over town at those times. Spending all the resources on this, without addressing the actual safety and congestion issues with Fairview elementary seems short-sighted and only frustrates people at how the city prioritizes these projects. I get roundabouts. There are several that HAVE helped (Green Meadows/Forum for example), but the Fairview Rollins, is a MESS! Please don't screw this one up also! There are MANY other issues with the streets of COMO (like potholes) that should get the priority.

Stoplight would be much better

This intersection deserves a stoplight. It could be set to default to letting chapel hill traffic flow with sensors to allow for Fairview road traffic and walk light buttons for pedestrians. The roundabout on Fairview and Rollins is a disaster. It’s way too small, so no one knows how to use it. It’s anyone’s guess whether the other cars are going to yield to the left or the right or just stop and wait for everyone. Please don’t make another one like that.

I live close by. It regularly backs up in early evening. Roundabout will improve flow. Drivers need to be educated how to use Roundabouts.