Experimental traffic circles leave drivers confused in Arvada

ARVADA, Colo. (KDVR) — Several traffic circles were installed in the area near Olde Town Arvada in 2022, according to a city spokesperson.

They were installed as an experiment to see if they would help make the streets safer. The city said it wanted to collect data to see if they could help make West 57th Avenue safer for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.

FOX31 took to the street on Tuesday to see how it was functioning. It didn't take long for us to see drivers appearing to be confused at West 57th Avenue and Balsam Street.

Some vehicles hesitated. Others sped and swerved past the flexible plastic posts.

People who use the intersections say problems started after the four traffic circles were installed two years ago. 

"It's been confusing. They (the city of Arvada) changed it to a stop sign. Now it's back to a roundabout and I think people are not sure what to expect when they pull up," Ben Lalor, a neighbor, said.

A spokesperson for Arvada said that the sudden temporary change and the use of stop signs was made after the traffic circle was damaged. There are both permanent and temporary traffic signs warning drivers about the traffic circle. 

"I think they should put a four-way stop back," Craig Ensley, a neighbor, said.

Four traffic circles were set up, along with traffic cushions flashing radar signs. FOX31 was told that one of the main goals was to figure out what devices would help improve safety for vehicles pedestrians and cyclists. 

The city said the traffic circles will be removed. 

Parts of nearby Grandview Avenue are also participating in the traffic survey.

"I'll be sad to see part of it go because it slowed down traffic. But it makes a lot of drivers angry because they don't know what they are doing," Brian Renicker, a neighbor, said.

At one intersection, the city said accidents were reduced by 10%. But there were still complaints made in a survey. 

"When it came to driver behavior it felt as if though some drivers could get a little confused or have hesitation entering and traveling through these," said acting City Engineer Chris Lisberg in a YouTube informational video posted by the city of Arvada.

That's one of the reasons stop signs will be brought back to replace the traffic circles in March or April. The city spokesperson said crews want to wait until winter weather clears to complete the removal process.

Here is additional information provided by the city of Arvada regarding the traffic pilot project:

"Traffic calming devices were installed along the corridors of 57th and Grandview avenues with temporary materials that can be installed quickly and at a low cost. Devices were intended to be temporary to study their ability to improve multi-modal travel in the area. The study looked at the effectiveness of various types of traffic calming devices. The study also identified what devices were most comfortable for the traveling public. 

The pilot is complete and data has been collected. Some traffic calming devices along the corridors have been removed. In some cases, devices were beginning to deteriorate and needed to be removed before winter. The remaining traffic circles will be removed as temperatures allow. 

Some devices, like the speed radar signs, that were found to be both effective in slowing traffic and comfortable for the traveling public will remain in place. Additional corridor improvements are being assessed and planned where appropriate. The corridors will continue to be monitored for additional improvement opportunities." City of Arvada

The city also noted that a community meeting was held on Oct. 30, and a recording of the discussion is available online. There's also an online portal to ask the city about projects.