Been there, done that. Had a heck of a time recently trying to find a way onto eastbound I-40 from DT, after trying a few major streets (that had bridges over I-40 but no access), finally got on at Shields. What was reported in the media is correct, there are fewer now than then. Even ODOT admits there are FEWER access points now than then. Here is what Ridley had to say from the recent article...

Ridley noted that while the new I-40 is less congested and safer than the old highway, the limited access to downtown is causing significant traffic delays, especially at Western Avenue, and the boulevard is a solution that is needed as soon as possible.
Lack of proper planning & design on ODOT's part does not constitute an emergency on ODOT's part...

I have to go with Bill on this one. I don't see the problem with the presently available access to downtown from I40. There are sufficient north-south avenues to get there - they are just different and a little bit longer now. Fussing about needing more roads to downtown is counterproductive to making the boulevard an iconic, pedestrian friendly street. If all ODOT and the City hear is complaints about how hard it is to drive a few blocks more, they will go with the design ODOT is pushing now. I think this is simply an instance where people, being creatures of habit, are having to change their habits and are creating a tempest in a tea pot.

Well keep in mind that the proposed boulevard, with the pedestrian and aesthetic enhancements that the city WAS already planning on within the limited scope of walkable area, was an $80 million project. Evidently there is $40 million they thought they had somewhere, and that amount is more than how much I believe exists within the GO bond, which will still be a significant funding source for the city's part. I don't understand why it's not immediately understood the roundabout will be the city's obligation. I'd hate to even see how ODOT could screw that up with 55 mph speed limits and 15-ft wide lanes or something insane.

Me too, good thing they never had anything like this planned for this project!

the limited access to downtown is causing significant traffic delays

That is a joke if you were to compare what traffic would be if they had chosen to widen the bridge in place to one exit having periodic delays for a few months.

I have to go with Bill on this one. I don't see the problem with the presently available access to downtown from I40. There are sufficient north-south avenues to get there - they are just different and a little bit longer now. Fussing about needing more roads to downtown is counterproductive to making the boulevard an iconic, pedestrian friendly street. If all ODOT and the City hear is complaints about how hard it is to drive a few blocks more, they will go with the design ODOT is pushing now. I think this is simply an instance where people, being creatures of habit, are having to change their habits and are creating a tempest in a tea pot.

I agree. I like the way it concentrates traffic on Western and Shields, which are now ripe for some real estate investment to take advantage of those traffic counts.

Ed Shadid has a Guest Blog at OKCCentral:

http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2012/07/18/guest-blog-ed-shadid/

Now there's a tell all, going all the way back to Ann Simank.

Steve, you are to be commended for allowing the guest post from Councilor Shadid on your blog. I thought he was extremely passionate and spelled it all out in a way everyone can understand. His is a voice clearly needed at this crucial time for our city. Some way, that should be printed in a full-page ad in The Oklahoman. It's with great pride that I can call Councilor Shadid my council member (and neighbor!).

Steve, you are to be commended for allowing the guest post from Councilor Shadid on your blog. I thought he was extremely passionate and spelled it all out in a way everyone can understand. His is a voice clearly needed at this crucial time for our city. Some way, that should be printed in a full-page ad in The Oklahoman. It's with great pride that I can call Councilor Shadid my council member (and neighbor!).

I just moved into his ward from the village. I am very glad he's my council member.

OKLAHOMA CITY BOULEVARD GETS BUMPY RESPONSE

The Oklahoman Editorial | Published: July 19, 2012

The drive along Oklahoma City Boulevard may include a bump in the road, literally, in the form of an elevated stretch that wasn't part of the original plan. This has caused a stir that's unlikely to be resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.

The boulevard will run along the path of the original, elevated Interstate 40 Crosstown Expressway. From the start, city officials and others expected the boulevard would be primarily at ground level.

But a design presented to the city council two weeks ago has it elevated from Western Avenue over to Lee Avenue. The city's public works director sees the reasoning for that — it avoids what would otherwise be a string of tightly bunched traffic lights that would gum up traffic.

But frustration is evident from city council members who say they didn't think the boulevard would be elevated east of Western, and that they weren't well-informed about the design. A commercial broker says developers have vowed not to invest in the area if the boulevard isn't at street level.
One group has proposed placing a roundabout at the problem spot. Doing so would require additional time and planning, not to mention more money to buy land and relocate affected businesses. Those costs would have to be borne by the city and not the state Department of Transportation, which is building the boulevard.
The trip from drawing board to completion is driven by practicality. The new I-40 Crosstown originally was going to be built 20 feet below ground level, but that changed when engineers found the ground that deep wasn't strong enough to hold the road. Indeed the boulevard was once going to be six lanes wide; instead it'll be four.
How much of it winds up at grade may ultimately be determined by how much we're willing to spend, and whether we're willing to wait, to see it completed.


It would our assertion based on ODOT's own bridge cost analysis data, that an "at grade" Boulevard, with or without the roundabout, would cost less. We believe that they are deploying fairly unsubstantiated statements.

We're continuing to buy property in the area. And if the boulevard (planned along the alignment of the old Interstate 40) goes in at ground level as I expect, I think the area south of here will be the next hot spot.” -Chip Fudge

He ought to expect something else. Lol

Read more: http://newsok.com/film-row-enjoys-flurry-of-new-development/article/3693536#ixzz2156z4i79

OKLAHOMA CITY BOULEVARD GETS BUMPY RESPONSE

The Oklahoman Editorial | Published: July 19, 2012
...

But a design presented to the city council two weeks ago...



What design was presented to Council? Presumably at the July 3rd meeting? Is it on the video?

http://0.tqn.com/d/g/16738.jpg (http://okc.about.com/bio/Adam-Knapp-16738.htm)The Better Boulevard FightBy Adam Knapp (http://okc.about.com/bio/Adam-Knapp-16738.htm), About.com GuideJuly 16, 2012


I've been following the discussion for over a month on OKCTalk.com (http://www.okctalk.com/), a fantastic community forum. As you probably know, the I-40 relocation plan includes construction of a new downtown boulevard to follow the path of the old Crosstown. There were heated discussions about the name (http://okc.about.com/b/2011/04/13/downtown-boulevard-name.htm) as well as a push by those with pedestrian concerns to have it reduced from six lanes to four. However, to my knowledge, official designs were never released, and...

http://okc.about.com/b/2012/07/16/the-better-boulevard-fight.htm

What design was presented to Council? Presumably at the July 3rd meeting? Is it on the video?

I presume that they are referring to when Councilman Shadid asked Mike Mize about it during the streetcar route some weeks ago and Eric Wenger got up at the podium to try to clarify what the design was.

OK, so this isn't the formal presentation that Eric Wenger, Director of Public Works, will be giving to the City Council about ODOT's design (or lack thereof?) on Tuesday the 31st of July?

I just found out last night that apparently ODOT is coming themselves. Hard to believe, I know.

Is coming themselves?

Does anyone care to share w/ me the advertisement on this subject? I'd be glad to post it at OKC Central

Steve, email me or phone me

From the Friends Facebook page courtesy David Dickerson:

http://www.urbanitebaltimore.com/baltimore/expiration-date/Content?oid=1473895

Wow - it seems like just last year when people made fun of me for suggesting that the new I-40 should have never been built, but instead rerouted to follow the current I-240.

If you support this cause, consider joining our Facebook Group for updates about the Friends for a Better Boulevard Campaign.

Click here and join the group- http://www.facebook.com/groups/483683684978845/?notif_t=group_r2j

That would require me to sign up for Facebook. :) I have enough computer based friends here on OKCTalk.

For all of those who do have Facebook accounts, please sign up.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/483683684978845/

I wish you could be part of the campaign JTF. I think you would enjoy it. I found the New Urbanism information you posted very interesting and this boulevard discussion is an excellent example of the paradigm shift needed from old to new if we are to restore our city cores.

From Mayor Cornett's interview on The Dirt - "You can't be a suburb of nothing" - great statement by Mayor Cornett.

"If your downtown is dead, it’s hard to imagine that life in the suburbs is going to be a whole lot better." That should be the standard answer whenever someone gripes about investment in the city center.

This gives me hope that he will support our effort to change the boulevard design. If we are stuck with another elevated freeway, large sections of downtown will remain on life support or die.

http://dirt.asla.org/2012/07/19/interview-with-oklahoma-city-mayor-mick-cornett-on-the-power-of-downtowns

CaptDave, I'd like to hope you are right about Mick, and I like the man's legacy in general, I just don't think he's going to be spurring anything. He's already half-way out the door. He literally only comes back to OKC to preside over council, take some more credit and build up his public profile, then it's off to DC or NY.

I'd like to see him go down as one of our best ever mayors, because he was. However he is now enjoying the fruits of his success and I just don't expect him to be a very relevant local figure in the future, and perhaps even sooner than any of us would expect. I would even suggest we ramp up the speculation on who will step up next, not only so there aren't any surprises, but also to vet these guys on the issues before this thing gets caught up in political ploys and money.

On a side note, having thought about this more - What I support and hope to see is a traffic circle, not a roundabout. I will support anything on the ground over the earthen ramp, but a traffic circle is what we need in order to promote sense of place and pedestrian safety OVER automobile usage. A roundabout is a circular traffic path in which pedestrians NEVER cross into the middle, and I think that's the wrong format.

However, like I said, I support whatever the consensus alternative is. I would just prefer to see a traffic circle, which is why I kept erroneously espousing that term in the beginning.

Is anyone else surprised that ODOT has had so few public statements about this? Other than Ridley's terrible quote, there's not much on the public record. Is this an admission of error or are they just girding for public battle?

IDK, but I still haven't received an email from my ODOT guy. That was like two weeks ago. He's probably been told not to respond. Quite sad if that is the case.

There will never be admission of anything on ODOT's part. That said, this is definitely mostly staying quiet and hoping that we go away. When they realize that isn't going to happen, there will be as little confrontation as ODOT thinks they can get away with. The more engaged they are forced to be with the public, the more likely that they won't get their way. Bank on that.

These things usually involve a certain degree of consulting as well. ODOT will probably tap a PR firm if they ever actually feel threatened by this. However, leveling with a citizen-driven movement over a road will probably never be their preferred option.

But the bottom line is that hoping for a big heated showdown of any kind would be way too much gratification for Friends for a Better Boulevard to hope for. This is either going to be a quiet, thankless victory, or a loud and bitter loss for the citizen movement.

Nm

IDK, but I still haven't received an email from my ODOT guy. That was like two weeks ago. He's probably been told not to respond. Quite sad if that is the case.

Not necessarily sad though. Many agencies have designated folks take in questions and dispense positions as their main duty or in addition to other duties. ODOT's powers that be, like any agency, want to present a unified message, on most any topic, rather than have it appear anyone and everyone might be speaking for the agency. Not uncommon in the private sector either for that matter.

Regardless, its not hard to reply back and say something like "Im sorry, I can not comment on that at this time." Ya know?

If the Council opposes the design, ODOT will present options. It's that simple. Whether or not citizens receive credit for their efforts is irrelevant. IT'S UP TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ASK FOR ALTERNATE DESIGNS.

At some point, whose fault this is for happening is not relevant. If ODOT is willing to move forward, so are the people of this city. Just present us alternate designs and don't try to whitewash this with weak arguments about schedules.

In the end, it doesn't matter much how we got here. What matters is where we are going.

Regardless, its not hard to reply back and say something like "Im sorry, I can not comment on that at this time." Ya know?

Send it again and CC your City Council representative.

If the Council opposes the design, ODOT will present options. It's that simple. Whether or not citizens receive credit for their efforts is irrelevant. IT'S UP TO THE CITY COUNCIL TO ASK FOR ALTERNATE DESIGNS.

At some point, whose fault this is for happening is not relevant. If ODOT is willing to move forward, so are the people of this city. Just present us alternate designs and don't try to whitewash this with weak arguments about schedules.

In the end, it doesn't matter much how we got here. What matters is where we are going.

Very true for many reasons. As long as we can impact the Council's thought process and they decide to engage ODOT over their poor design, our goal will at least be partially met. How the process goes after that and what is actually built is out of our hands, but we will know that we accomplished something valuable to our city by exercising our rights as citizens to voice our concerns to our elected leaders.

I'm just curious what the chances are of this actually going through? To be honest, I was kind of skeptical at first but after I saw the new renderings this is freakin awsome and I would love to see this happen.

I'm just curious what the chances are of this actually going through? To be honest, I was kind of skeptical at first but after I saw the new renderings this is freakin awsome and I would love to see this happen.

The chances go up with each person who emails a few letters.

The chances go up with each person who emails a few letters. Who exactly do I email them to?

Who exactly do I email them to?

mayor@okc.gov
ward_@okc.gov (fill the blank in with your ward number)

http://www.okcchamber.com/index.php?submenu=ContactUs&src=forms&ref=Contact%20Us

You can tweet @okdot or call 405-521-6000

Letter in today's Oklahoman:

Elevated boulevard would be barrier to economic development

http://newsok.com/article/3694081/

Who exactly do I email them to?

Yes, I would recommend letting your City Council Representative know about this matter. The Chamber is probably generally aware of the issue and can also influence some Council members occasionally.

For the best impact, write or email Victor Mendez with the Federal Highway Administration and copy your City Council Representative. That is what we are asking for all of you to do via this campaign. In that way, your comments are authoritatively documented and part of the public process.

Victor Mendez
Federal Highway Administration
1200 SE New Jersey Ave.
Washington, DC 20590

victor.mendez@dot.gov


Mayor Mick Cornett
(At Large)
mayor@okc.goc


Gary Marrs
(W / NW Area)
ward1@okc.gov

Ed Shadid
(North Central Area)
ward2@okc.gov

Larry McAtee
(W / SW Area) (A small part of the western section is in his ward)
ward3@okc.gov

Pete White
(SE Area)
ward4@okc.gov

David Greenwell
(Far South Area)
ward5@okc.gov

Meg Salyer
(Central Area) (Nearly all of the proposed project is in her Ward)
ward6@okc.gov

Skip Kelly
(NE Area) (Far East is project in his Ward)
ward7@okc.gov

Patrick Ryan
(N / NW Area)
ward8@okc.gov


If you feel inclined, the July 31st (Tuesday) Council meeting, starts at 8:30 AM, ODOT will be presenting at that time. You can sign up to speak on the issue and their presentation.

There will also be a major public meeting in which turn out is critical with the Federal Representatives present. The date and location have not been announced as of yet.

Yes, I would recommend letting your City Council Representative know about this matter.

I've sent a letter to Mr. Mendez about making sure the boulevard is at grade, and also letting him know who the true enemies in this are (ODOT). I also included a note about getting a sidewalk along the full length of the NW Expressway and also May. This would essentially tie together the vast majority of trails, and also allow suburbanite bikers access to the bus network (Penn Square Mall stop especially). But I'm not naive enough to think there isn't some class warfare behind the fact that there are no sidewalks along the NW Expressway, considering virtually every time I drive it I see someone walking in the grass beside it.

I've sent a letter to Mr. Mendez about making sure the boulevard is at grade, and also letting him know who the true enemies in this are (ODOT). I also included a note about getting a sidewalk along the full length of the NW Expressway and also May. This would essentially tie together the vast majority of trails, and also allow suburbanite bikers access to the bus network (Penn Square Mall stop especially). But I'm not naive enough to think there isn't some class warfare behind the fact that there are no sidewalks along the NW Expressway, considering virtually every time I drive it I see someone walking in the grass beside it.

I'm not sure why you include sidewalk issues in an email to the Federal Highway Administration. They have nothing at all to do with that in the areas of your concern. It may not hurt anything but extraneous issues could dilute the message.

I've sent a letter to Mr. Mendez about making sure the boulevard is at grade, and also letting him know who the true enemies in this are (ODOT). I also included a note about getting a sidewalk along the full length of the NW Expressway and also May. This would essentially tie together the vast majority of trails, and also allow suburbanite bikers access to the bus network (Penn Square Mall stop especially). But I'm not naive enough to think there isn't some class warfare behind the fact that there are no sidewalks along the NW Expressway, considering virtually every time I drive it I see someone walking in the grass beside it.

I'd be more recalcitrant to pull out the class warfare charge, but I agree that it is a huge problem, and one that hits lower-income harder than other groups.

mayor@okc.gov
ward_@okc.gov (fill the blank in with your ward number)

http://www.okcchamber.com/index.php?submenu=ContactUs&src=forms&ref=Contact%20Us

You can tweet @okdot or call 405-521-6000


Yes, I would recommend letting your City Council Representative know about this matter. The Chamber is probably generally aware of the issue and can also influence some Council members occasionally.

For the best impact, write or email Victor Mendez with the Federal Highway Administration and copy your City Council Representative. That is what we are asking for all of you to do via this campaign. In that way, your comments are authoritatively documented and part of the public process.

Victor Mendez
Federal Highway Administration
1200 SE New Jersey Ave.
Washington, DC 20590

victor.mendez@dot.gov


Mayor Mick Cornett
(At Large)
mayor@okc.goc


Gary Marrs
(W / NW Area)
ward1@okc.gov

Ed Shadid
(North Central Area)
ward2@okc.gov

Larry McAtee
(W / SW Area) (A small part of the western section is in his ward)
ward3@okc.gov

Pete White
(SE Area)
ward4@okc.gov

David Greenwell
(Far South Area)
ward5@okc.gov

Meg Salyer
(Central Area) (Nearly all of the proposed project is in her Ward)
ward6@okc.gov

Skip Kelly
(NE Area) (Far East is project in his Ward)
ward7@okc.gov

Patrick Ryan
(N / NW Area)
ward8@okc.gov


If you feel inclined, the July 31st (Tuesday) Council meeting, starts at 8:30 AM, ODOT will be presenting at that time. You can sign up to speak on the issue and their presentation.

There will also be a major public meeting in which turn out is critical with the Federal Representatives present. The date and location have not been announced as of yet.
Okay. I'll get started writing my letter. Thanks for the info. :)

I'd be more recalcitrant to pull out the class warfare charge, but I agree that it is a huge problem, and one that hits lower-income harder than other groups.

The lack of sidewalks along major OKC arteries is embarrassing and infuriating. The other day, my wife and I saw a woman who looked like she was in her late 80s trying to walk along NW 23rd west of 1-44 and Portland. She was carrying what appeared to be groceries, probably from the Braum's market, and was having a difficult time walking (there was an entire field of weeds in front of an ugly church she had to negotiate).

It was scary trying to watch her negotiate all of this. And it also brought into relief the hidden population that really needs more adequate public transit in our city. It is downright dangerous for the elderly to try to walk in OKC. It's shameful that we have let things get this bad.

The lack of sidewalks along major OKC arteries is embarrassing and infuriating. The other day, my wife and I saw a woman who looked like she was in her late 80s trying to walk along NW 23rd west of 1-44 and Portland. She was carrying what appeared to be groceries, probably from the Braum's market, and was having a difficult time walking (there was an entire field of weeds in front of an ugly church she had to negotiate).

It was scary trying to watch her negotiate all of this. And it also brought into relief the hidden population that really needs more adequate public transit in our city. It is downright dangerous for the elderly to try to walk in OKC. It's shameful that we have let things get this bad.

You should have pulled over and offered her a ride.

For the best impact, write or email Victor Mendez with the Federal Highway Administration and copy your City Council Representative. That is what we are asking for all of you to do via this campaign.
With due respect, I believe ODOT needs to be included in people's correspondence as well. I received a reply back from the city council chief of staff today saying the boulevard is the domain of ODOT. So much of this debate needs to be waged at the state government level, I believe.
You can contact the Governor through this webpage:https://www.ok.gov (https://www.ok.gov/triton/modules/formbuilder/form.php?form_id=1a85f621dddc700fb88abc113bb38f83e 522ba51d8e0f78f7b74e27c5b2bc6a1)
You can contact the Director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Gary Ridley, at gridley AT odot DOT org
The head of the Planning and Research Division is John Bowman at jbowman AT odot DOT org
And further contacts within the Planning and Research Division can be found here:http://www.okladot.state.ok.us/p-r-div/index.htm

Below are pages from my latest boulevard idea. This proposal would locate a roundabout at the intersection of Robinson & the new boulevard. The entire PDF can be downloaded here: https://dl.dropbox.com/u/15393885/Thunder Circle.pdf

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/CuatrodeMayo/thunder circle/Plans-1200.jpg

The roundabout at Robinson and the new Boulevard ties together the new southwest entrance to the arena, the future convention center, the convention hotel, and the central park with a grand civic gesture. Linking these current and future MAPS projects creates a distinctive and dramatic sense of place that is only experienced in Oklahoma City. This roundabout is not only aesthetically pleasing but also provides an opportunity for each facility to benefit from the proximity of its neighboring facilities and work as a unified whole.

An underground pedestrian concourse creates a protected connection between all four MAPS projects, while an underground garage provides parking and convention center service access. By moving these functions below grade, the urban fabric and open greenspace above is preserved. The concourse level also provides pedestrian access to the fountain in the center of the roundabout without having to cross traffic.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/CuatrodeMayo/thunder circle/overall_high-1200.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/CuatrodeMayo/thunder circle/overall-1200.jpg

The convention hotel is located directly across the roundabout from the convention center and is physically connected via the pedestrian concourse. By locating the convention hotel across the street, the convention center is allowed to completely occupy the site and maximize its usable area. The building is a true mixed-use structure with a full service hotel, meeting rooms, residential units, and office/retail spaces on the ground floor.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/CuatrodeMayo/thunder circle/circlehotel-1200.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/CuatrodeMayo/thunder circle/pedportal-1200.jpg

The pedestrian portal splits the above-grade levels of the convention center into a west building and an east building. This passageway provides a necessary link between the Myriad Gardens and Central Park and encourages travel between the two greenspaces. The structure consists of a translucent cylindrical form that mimics the shape of the Crystal Bridge across the street to the north. On the inside, lighting, video projectors and audio systems create an exciting and interactive light show. The pedestrian portal is a destination event intended to draw pedestrians to and through the passageway and induce travel between the park and the gardens.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/CuatrodeMayo/thunder circle/nighttime-1200.jpg

At the center of the roundabout is a large water feature which includes several vertical jets and waterfall elements. In the evenings, this fountain is illuminated by lighting that is programmable to glow in any color of the rainbow. This is especially exciting on game nights when the fountain glows Thunder blue, orange, and red. The centerpiece of the fountain is a beacon that projects a bright shaft of light skyward each night. Since the fountain is partially below grade, it is safely accessible to pedestrians from the concourse level.

With due respect, I believe ODOT needs to be included in people's correspondence as well. I received a reply back from the city council chief of staff today saying the boulevard is the domain of ODOT. So much of this debate needs to be waged at the state government level, I believe.

No need to write to ODOT. They are automatically copied on letters sent to Mr. Mendez. The State generally does not care. Mary Fallin might be if enough letters were dispatched to her.

It is undoubtedly, directly, a city matter. The statement otherwise demonstrates what is going on over there internally. They do not want the City Council to feel the pressure to make ODOT accountable directly to them for the road they will be receiving.

I love it. One comment though. Clearwater Beach built a traffic circle and put a fountain in the center but constant winds in the area blew the spray onto the traffic circle, which caused the road to be constantly wet. This in turn led to a lot of accidents and they finally had to turn the fountain off. The fountain has since been filled in. Another problem they had was the raised area in the middle reduced sight lines so even at 20 mph there still wasn't time to react to traffic. I am sure their traffic circle has a much smaller radius so this might not be a problem in your design. Does your software allow you model stuff like that? As we know, the winds in Oklahoma can be very strong.

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/01/06/news_pf/Northpinellas/Put_fear_of_circles_a.shtml


It's time to come back to the beach.

Local residents who stopped coming to Clearwater Beach because they feared driving through the famous beach roundabout should give it another try. The roundabout is now 5 years old, and police and traffic officials say it is no longer an obstacle to safe passage to the beach.

...

The roundabout, envisioned by a previous city administration as both a traffic solution and a grand entrance to Clearwater Beach, was the scene of traffic mayhem for months after it opened in December 1999. Cars bumped into each other. Trucks ran over the shrubbery and got stuck trying to turn through the tight circle. The wedding cake-style fountain that filled the middle of the circle sprinkled cars and blocked views of oncoming traffic. Lane markings and signs were confusing.

...

Instead, commissioners made the tough decision to fix the roundabout and give it more time to work. Lanes were widened, pavement markings and signs were changed, and the showpiece fountain was demolished.

Today, the Clearwater Beach roundabout isn't as pretty, but it works exactly as intended: It keeps traffic moving on and off the beach, even on the busiest days. It is easy to forget that the old traffic signals used to bring traffic to a halt, creating gridlock on beach streets and Memorial Causeway.

There definitely is a roundabout learning curve. But, once you learn how to use them, they're great, for all the reasons that have been outlined.

Wow, that is incredibly impressive.

No reason we couldn't do something like this with the proper planning.

Love it.

that is not a good intersection for a roundabout .. the street car will pass through it (twice) also the CC hotel will most likely not be on the south side of the blvd

Very Nice Cuatro ! I like the 'Tube' at the Convention Center, ties in nicely with MBG tube.

that is not a good intersection for a roundabout .. the street car will pass through it (twice) also the CC hotel will most likely not be on the south side of the blvd

Maybe the CC hotel should be at that location. Would free up more room at the site stricly for the CC, maybe keep them from going underground.

No need to write to ODOT. They are automatically copied on letters sent to Mr. Mendez.
If everything in government worked as it should, we wouldn't be having to fight this battle at all.



It is undoubtedly, directly, a city matter.
Well funding for this project is undoubtedly, directly, controlled by ODOT, and in my experience money talks and you know the rest.