Would a proposed roundabout ease traffic at the Heathcote Five Corners or simply exacerbate the congestion? That was the question on the table at the League of Women Voters community discussion on Tuesday night September 20th at the Crossway Firehouse. The event drew a cross section of League members, former trustees, Village managers and residents who live near this difficult intersection.

Creighton Manning Engineers, the consultants hired by the Village to analyze the feasibility of a roundabout, presented their Phase II report and Peter Strauss and Assistant Village Manager Justin Datino, were on hand to answer questions. The session was moderated for the LWV by Deb Pekarek who asked for questions, rather than comments, but got some of each.

Former Scarsdale Mayor Carolyn Stevens explained that the Village Board had assigned an Ad Hoc Committee to look into a roundabout and they had hired traffic consultants Creighton Manning to do a study at an estimated cost of $35,000. The group was then shown a presentation about how a roundabout could work, including animations of traffic flow and video of a similar roundabout in Glens Falls, New York.

According to the engineers, here are some of the benefits of roundabouts:

• Safest intersections -- reduce conflict points
• High capacity with minimal delay
• Flexible for unusual conditions
• Aesthetic gateway
• Environmentally sound solution - reduced vehicle emissions
• 35% fewer accidents
• 75% fewer fatal accidents
• 45% fewer pedestrian accidents when a roundabout is constructed

The proposed single lane roundabout design for Scarsdale would includes pedestrian islands for safe crossing and lit signage. A landscaped center island would add greenery and aesthetic appeal. The roundabout would be 105 feet in diameter and would require the Village to make right-of-way land acquisitions. Engineers demonstrated how the roundabout would reduce waiting time to get into and around the intersection.

The total estimated cost of the project is $1,900,000, with $1.5 million for construction, $220,000 for engineering and $175,000 for inspections. The Village hopes to fund 75% of the project through state or federal funding.

The presentation included extensive testimony from Glens Falls residents where despite an increase in traffic volume, the roundabout was found to reduce delays.

A merchant there whose business is located right on the circle was skeptical at first but now thinks the roundabout is great. Another resident said, “No one wanted it to begin with and now everyone loves it.”

In the question period, several disgruntled neighbors voiced their concerns about traffic from the Heathcote School at Palmer Avenue and Innes Roads when school lets out. Michael Malina wanted to know how the roundabout would alleviate the gridlock near his home. A Fox Meadow woman questioned how many accidents there have been in the past few years and wanted to know why the Village would spend these funds if accidents were not an issue. Another woman wanted to know if there was data about children’s safety crossing at the pedestrian crosswalks. Larry Bell questioned whether the width of sidewalks would need to be reduced and voiced his concern about a tight overlap at Heathcote Road on Weaver Street.

The group spent a considerable time reviewing the merits and demerits of the proposal and the League will hold their consensus meeting on the issue on October 3rd.

Pictured at top: Former Mayor Carolyn Stevens, Pamela Rubin (member of the Ad Hoc Five Corners Traffic Study Committee), Peter Strauss (Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee), Justin Datino (Assistant to Scarsdale Village Manager), Marylou Green (Scarsdale League of Women Voters President), Deb Pekarek (Scarsdale League of Women Voters Planning and Zoning Chair), and Steve Godlewski (Creighton Manning Engineers). Photo Credit: Angela Manson