I read the April 6, 2023 article “Road Rage in Summit” several times and I find contradictions, misinformation, illogical reasoning and possibly some disinformation.
The Enterprise-Journal article said MDOT engineer Albert White stated the I-55 cloverleaf exits were designed in the 1960s to handle fewer vehicles that moved more slowly than today’s vehicles.
His statement is incorrect, according to the Federal Highway Administration. The cloverleafs were designed to accommodate higher volume vehicle flow safely, and while vehicles today are faster, it is irrelevant as the speed of all vehicles is controlled by the operator.
Mr. White stated the accident history at the Summit exits isn’t significant, and studies showed roundabouts would reduce accidents at the interchange minutely. He added, “I drive it every day. I see a lot of near misses, but as far as accidents on record there’s only a small amount.”
Buddy Nelson, attending the meeting, expressed his concern with difficulties while driving an 18-wheeler in roundabouts.
Mr. White responded, “Engineers check to see if semi-trucks can make those movements before building them.” But he failed to mention the need for truck aprons, which can contribute to large-truck turnovers in roundabouts. Conventional roundabouts usually have a single apron. I believe a total of 8 aprons are planned for this project.
Jane Lawrence said simply adding Yield signs would improve safety at the cloverleafs. She’s correct, and I believe her simple suggestion is the best solution and will save a lot of money that can be used on more worthy projects.
Rusty Whittington added she was told we have no input at all and the decision has been made. Mr. White confirmed that was correct. He said, “We decided this was the way we were going to go.”
I believe Mr. White is again incorrect. According to the FHWA, the public must be given an opportunity to comment on the proposed access modification before approval is granted.
Summit Councilman Marcus Pitman spoke of his experience using the roundabouts in Hammond, La. Mr. White responded that Hammond is a bad comparison. He cited a better roundabout example at Walker, La., and said roundabouts are planned for Brookhaven and Monticello.
Mr. White’s better example should be enough to immediately cancel this project.
The Walker Police Department recorded the following vehicle crashes in their new dual roundabout: 148 crashes in 2018, 324 crashes in 2019, 274 crashes in 2020, 174 crashes in the first 6 months of 2021. Crashes average 3-4 weekly at present.
In 2018 traffic lights were installed for nearly $1 million, but traffic backs up and crashes continue. Residents and police say the roundabout causes more problems than solutions among other things. Police say the roundabout is a hazard.
Television stations WAFB and WBRZ, The Advocate, Livingston Parish News, and New Orleans newspapers have reported about the community discontent and frustrations with the new system.
Summit resident Debbie Wilson and Councilman Joe Lewis requested the return of traffic lights at Lawrence Street and Highway 51, a major thoroughfare.
Mr. White responded by saying the budget is confined to I-55 and has no money for the requested traffic light, estimated to cost $1.5 million to $2 million to install. Additionally, he said “Projects are budgeted based on accident history, not near misses and inconvenience.”
Ironically, “near misses” and “insignificant accident history” are the exact justifications Mr. White is using to replace the cloverleaves with roundabouts.
I have a sense that the approval process for the interchange modification was flawed, as some information may have been withheld from the public. How can a preferred cloverleaf exit with a 60-year very low accident history be replaced with an extremely high accident rate roundabout?
I believe I found one answer in 23 U.S. Code, allowing states to issue many of their own approvals for highway modifications and apparent federal “rubber-stamping” of these projects. In March, I was told by MDOT bidding for this project was to begin in mid-April and awarded in late May. The low bid was published on March 26, 2024. Just more incorrect information from MDOT.
— Richard East, Summit
