While those living in Parkerfield probably like it I feel the new traffic circle is ill-conceived and poorly designed.
From the Traveler's opinion poll I'm not alone in my feelings. It's bad enough that a major highway has to slow to 20 MPH a half mile before, but the design of the thing baffles me. You are jogged left before being turned right to go around the circle AND there are curbs that have to be jumped if you have a long load. My second trip through the intersection I was between two semis. The first jumped the curb and while I couldn't see whether the one behind me did the same, the truck looked like it was being driven by a drunk with all of the maneuvering that was required for it to get through the thing.
Be prepared the have any windmill parts that come this way come through town. There's absolutely no way they'll be able to navigate the circle. The state will be rebuilding the curbs inside a year with every truck that goes through there bouncing over them. If we have to live with that abomination at least get rid of the curbs and repaint the lines to allow a more direct entry.
That intersection has been built four times now and it's still wrong. Enough money has been wasted that it could have been built more cheaply and done right the first time by putting in an overpass interchange. Traffic all four directions wouldn't have to stop and the highway traffic could maintain highway speed. This would have been the perfect opportunity to join with the city in continuing the railroad overpass eastward over US 77. Myopic decision makers strike again.
Yeah, I drove thru it the other day, and thought: "boy I'd hate to have to pull an 18 wheeler through this" It is VERY small. I don't have a Big car and it was tight for me and I consider myself an excellent driver. Wonder what other's on here think...
I've also noticed a lot of non local service/delivery trucks still using Summit. I've heard from several truckers that they hate the traffic circle. Looks like a number of them are chancing a ticket to avoid it.
I also like it. I go through it about once a week and feel safer then with stop sign,BUT we all have to be careful and I am sure the truckers do not like it.The trucks I have seen made it ok. They have to go through other tight spots and the circle is no different. The young man that was killed there when the by pass was first put in did not stop and was hit by through traffic. Maybe if the circle had been iin place he would be alive.but that is one thing we will never know. Now with all the things put in place to keep us safe and you see people messing with their phones. There will always be something to add to the danger of driving. Please all be careful sunflower
