Happy Canyon Roundabouts

DOUGLAS COUNTY RESIDENTS SUPPORT HAPPY CANYON ROUNDABOUTS

A Public Meeting with the Board of Douglas County Commissioners on June 29th was very well attended. The meeting provided the Commissioners with feedback about the proposed installation of roundabouts on Happy Canyon Road to be located at the intersections of the two gated entries into Castle Pines Village.

In support of the roundabouts were over 140 people from Castle Pines Village, along with staff members from Castle Pines Homes Association and the Castle Pines Metropolitan District. Another group of participants represented various safety agencies in the area including Douglas County Sheriff's Office, South Metro Fire Rescue Authority and Castle Rock Fire Department who viewed roundabouts favorably. Only three people at the meeting spoke in opposition to construction of the roundabouts.

The overall theme of the meeting was to more fully explain the importance and necessity of safer road conditions and providing a continuous traffic flow for ALL drivers along Happy Canyon Road between I-25 on the east and Highway 85 on the west. Power point presentations were made by Jon Gray, Engineer for Castle Pines Metro District, and Alex Ariniello, President of LSC Transportation Consultants, Inc. Both presentations highlighted documented traffic flow benefits of roundabouts at intersections versus other traditional traffic control devices like stop signs or traffic signals. The main benefits cited were reduced travel speeds and continuous traffic flow through roundabouts versus stop and go delays.

There was also a variety of data showing significant reductions in traffic and pedestrian accidents after roundabouts were installed at intersections. Mr. Ariniello pointed out that the first roundabout in Colorado was installed in 1983. By year end 2008, there were 250 roundabouts in the State. Fred Koch, Douglas County Engineering Director, provided answers to a number of previously proposed questions and showed a video of all types and sizes of vehicles (including large, emergency fire trucks) successfully navigating a demonstration roundabout set up to mirror the proposed Happy Canyon Road roundabout design specifications.

Al Dugan, President of the Castle Pines Homes Association, expressed project support and stated that, "Privatization of Happy Canyon Road is not an option. We perceive roundabouts as a reasonable compromise that provides increased safety as well as unrestricted access to Happy Canyon Road for everyone." He went on to note that the Castle Pines Homes Association intends to grant a road easement to Douglas County, and to enter into a Landscape Maintenance Agreement with the County for the area surrounding the proposed roundabouts. The roundabout construction will be funded by Castle Pines Metropolitan District by using existing reserve monies already in the District's reserve operating budget.

Twelve residents from Castle Pines Village each took the podium to express their support for the Happy Canyon Road roundabouts. Three of the residents were young people ranging in ages from 12 to 19 years old who explained the need to cross Happy Canyon Road to access recreational amenities on the south side of the community. Three residents told the Commissioners about injury accidents they were involved in on Happy Canyon Road and said they believed those incidents could have been avoided if roundabouts were in place. One resident stressed that it would be a shame to delay the installation of these roundabouts just because a "statistical" accident had not yet occurred to warrant safety action. All of these speakers urged the Commissioners to take the action necessary to allow the roundabouts to be built.

Joe Gschwendtner was the final Castle Pines Village speaker. As President of Castle Pines Metro District, he re-emphasized the need for improved safety on Happy Canyon Road and stated that, "The roundabout program is not a veiled attempt by Castle Pines Village to privatize the road.....Our Commissioners balance scarce resources with the needs of County residents. What better way to do it than ensure greater public safety through Happy Canyon Road roundabouts..." With no capital contribution required from Douglas County, "A roundabout solution is a win-win for everyone."

For more information on this project, contact Castle Pines Metropolitan District at 303-688-8330.

Residents wearing red to support Happy Canyon Roundabouts