Going Round About Traffic Circle

The corner of Edmondson Avenue and Old Frederick Rd has been a topic of conversation at cookouts, and the pool most of this summer. The decision to remove the traffic lights and install a round-about brings mixed reviews from those of us who travel this route 4 or more times per day.

While the workers, for the most part have been completing the work fairly quickly and with reasonable courtesy to drivers, the chaos has tested the patience of harried moms and student drivers. From the initial set up of the stop signs, placed mostly behind tree limbs, to the constantly changing lane lines, often rearranged in the time it takes to drive to the pool and back, the flashing message to “Stay Alert” is an understatement. The local residents have graciously dealt with the dust, disappearing and reappearing sidewalks, and spontaneous worker picnics on their lawns. But now we must consider the final product. The curbs have been pinched in so as to condense the lanes forcing biker riders and skateboarders who use the bike lane to quickly merge into the car lane. The lack of visibility to see around the corner from Edmondson up Old Frederick toward Rolling Rd, was not an issue when the traffic light was holding back the oncoming traffic, but now this blind spot poses a serious problem as one will be unable to see the traffic entering the circle from Old Frederick until the driver on Edmondson is in the circle too.

My biggest concern will not be an issue until August 31, the first day of school. An intersection where traffic once stopped at a red light, perhaps a little too long for some, has been changed to a free flowing traffic pattern where the cars will never stop. Sounds great, until 3pm Monday thru Friday, when the middle school children are dismissed and begin their walk up Edmondson Avenue. For the few students who travel on the sidewalks, there will be no light to slow or stop the traffic as they cross the street. This concern was raised by the community at local meetings. The solution is a raised brick crosswalk. We are talking MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS HERE! For the many students who frequently walk on the yellow line in the center of Edmondson Avenue as they travel towards Old Frederick, the turn-about may offer an island of repute for further play and taunting of drivers. Perhaps the bricks could be yellow too and entice them to “Follow the yellow brick road.” But I doubt it.

Perhaps there will be a crossing guard as promised. Perhaps the middle school students will like the fresh sidewalks and spontaneously use them. We will see soon enough. I advise you to continue to following the wise advice of the flashing yellow sign, long after it is removed from Edmondson Ave. “Stay Alert!”