I think the roundabouts are a TERRIBLE idea. 27th street is a very busy street with many lanes and high traffic. I think accidents witll increase. I for one will stop using 27th street if the roundabouts go in. I'm going to miss Wal-Mart and Menards, but I will probably go to the ones in Racine instead.

I think the roundabouts on 27th st would be ridicules the traffic back up would be incredible , i see no viable option to put roundabouts on 27th. When was the last time the franklin and oak creek officials actually been down 27th st?

Roundabouts are not a new design to provide for efficient and easy traffic movement. They have existed in Boston and Washington DC for many many years. They have positive benefits for those that travel - especially at busy times. They are a progressive way to facilitate traffic. They are easy to learn how to navigate and would be of great benefit to 27th Street. I have experienced them in other parts of the State and they offer a progressive means to travel. The alternative to remain with traffic controlled systems does not seem beneficial for the future.

I believe roundabouts are a good idea for 27th street. The concept of Roundabouts is long overdue in the United States, many countries have been using them years a head of us. China, Australia, France, UK, and more that have studied the benefits of using roundabouts have found a decrease in the severity of accidents that are usually had at any type of intersection. Safety information and information found from studies can be found online at http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/00-0675.pdf As with any change, education needs to take place on the concept of roundabouts and how to drive through them. I was never taught in drivers education (10+) years ago how to drive in roundabouts, but it was and IS my responsibility as a citizen and licensed driver to learn how to, once they started popping up in the US.

I'd really like to know who's bright idea this is and WHY they think it needs to be done. The best example of what NOT to do with roundabouts is on W. Drexel Ave. and on S. Moorland Rd. They're absolutely horrible and they make driving just too complicated for most people!! It should be put up to a public vote and in this case, I vote NO !!

Roundabouts? It'll never happen. They can't even fixed the buckled road.

Given the choice between stoplights and roundabouts I'll take roundabouts any day. They're more convenient and less dangerous. Heaven forbid some of you would have to learn how to do something new.

To me, they are not a good idea for the areas planned. First of all, think of the winter months when we have more months of snow in WI then we have no snow. The snow plows, piles of snow, ice, flooding, etc... Very dangerous. Also, I have been on many roundabouts in different states and areas. Some are placed well--while others are not. I do not believe 27th street in these areas is a safe place to put them--too much confusion and high traffic for these areas. I suggest the cities "line-up" the intersections better when crossing 27th street into each city so we can go straight across instead of head on into traffic (27th and Drexel) as this has been very dangerous as well.

I am opposed to roundabouts on 27th street because of the high traffic volume and multiple lanes. I have lived out east where roundabouts are more common, and they work better with fewer lanes, rather than multiple. Also, I think that roundabouts would be much more hazardous in winter weather conditions, when what is now a simplie straight shot through an intersection becomes a half circle, and a left turn becomes 3/4 circle. Don't do it.

They are a good idea. It will eliminate the need for costly intersection signals and traffic backing up at the signals. Roundabouts are NOT hard to use; go to the 6th Street Viaduct in Milwaukee and try it!

p.s. To the people who are citing the high volume traffic for a reason why roundabouts won't work--roundabouts are designed specifically for high volume. How in earth do you think they work in London otherwise?

Will there be walk/don't walk lights for the pedestrians and people in wheelchairs at the roundabouts? How will people cross from one side to another?

ALTHOUGH NEW IN OUR AREA--THEY WORK WELL IN OTHER STATES & COUNTRIES TRAFFIC VOLUME IN LONDON w/ ROUNDABOUTS WORK FINE--WHEN THEY WOULD BE BUILT ON 27TH STREET YOU WILL ACCEPT THEM-BE A FORWARD THINKER!!

If you want to see how worthless roundabouts are, just go out to Moorland Rd. and I-43...total confusion at times. Up in Sheboygan County there is one near the freeway off ramp...and I was travelling in Missouri where there IS one at the bottom of a freeway off ramp...and the locals call it the "circle of death". Nah....bad idea, but it doesn't matter, what DOT wants DOT gets, whether the communites want it or not.

No no no...I saw what the one on the Moorland Rd exit off of Hwy 43 is like...I was totally confused and I could tell the other drivers were also..I could see getting hit

Roundabouts are nothing to be scared of. Seems like many people are scared of change. The only thing people need to relize is that you merge into traffice by yielding not stopping. Its clear to me that roundabout do cut down on the severity of accidents because you need to slow down to go through them as opposed to flying through a light.

AWFUL idea. I HATE the one they put on Drexel between Loomis and Lover's Lane - where the new Target store is. GS mentioned the one on Moorland, too, by Ridge Cinemas. That one is very difficult to maneuver and has to be an accident waiting to happen. Roundabouts in other countries have small cars and small roads and even smaller intersections. Since when does the US copy other's ideas and not come up with better solutions on its own. We used to lead the world in innovation. We keep going backwards.

After using the roundabouts off of I 43 and Moorland road and nearly getting in a major accident and nearly killed because people failed to yield the right of way to me and pulled out right in front of me, I decided to avoid roundabouts in busy areas. The ones on Drexel aren't bad, but imagining them on 27th street, no way! I will also avoid 27th street if they decide to put them in. If people can't stop for a stoplight, they aren't going to yield for me or anyone else. I say NO TO ROUNDABOUTS on 27th Street.

If you oppose roundabouts, then you are not a forward thinker? If roundabouts work in other cities or countries, then we should do them here? Come on! Try going through the Moorland roundabouts in New Berlin during heavy traffice and you will see why so many of us don't want them on 27th Street. Even the lower traffic roundabout on Drexel causes too much confusion. During the winter months, you can see the tire ruts in the snow in the center of that roundabout from drivers who tried to keep going straight. Drivers understand how to handle traditional intersections. In 20 years, we'll be spending millions in tax dollars replacing roundabouts with traditional intersections.

I am experienced in navigating roundabouts and am not "afraid" of them. However, in my opinion, they are not practical on 27 th street. 27th street is too highly traveled. In addition, they are more dangerous in winter driving conditions. The high volume of semi traffic may also cause problems. Yield signs become stop signs when the traffic from the left is continuous on the roundabouts. The traffic will back up during peak travel times. I recently observed a backup of traffic onto I-43 near Moorland because the north and southbound traffic was so heavy. Lastly, the issue of emergency vehicles getting though should be considered.

The S. Moorland "roundabout" is a poorly executed example of the idea, IMHO. I've driven through it a few times and found it somewhat confusing. I think in part that was the result of the sightlines on entry. Additionally, it isn't obvious where one is going from where you are as you approach it. On Townline road between Sussex and the Village of Lannon there's a new roundabout (installed last year) which is more of the classic design; pretty much a full circle. It sees a fair amount of traffic. The main issue with it is that drivers approaching the entrance to the roundabout drive too fast, making drivers already in the roundabout unsure that they can take the right-of-way. Then, they slow down which is what clogs the whole thing up. I think that the roundabouts on 27th can work, but they really need to be planned properly to do so. Proper signage for entry lane choice is critical, at a distance great enough to allow drivers to adjust accordingly. Some way of controlling the entry speed is also important, to assure drivers in the roundabout flow can rely upon having right of way to keep traffic moving.

I spent 25 adult years in the Franklin area before moving out east and find this talk of roundabouts a bit strange. People in PA and NJ are getting RID of them. Folks here hate them. Accidents abound. Granted, most accidents are minor. A tour guide in Halifax, during one of our visits, said of a roundabout we were navigating that it was going to be replaced because at least two or three accidents happen every day. Sure enough, one happened right there in front of us. Semi-truck crunched a van. Ten years from now, I bet people will regret having built these things.

Horrible idea. Especiaslly with all the truck traffic on Drexel and Ryan. The one on Hwy 38 and K is a disaster. People don't know how to use them and a semi in the mix stops traffic cold. Once again, most people do NOT want them but were going to get what they think is right. It's fashionable right now. And as far as London, they have had them from the beginnig so that's all people know. They are also huge. I promise we will not be smart enough to do that here. How about just fixing the damn roads so they are no longer a minfield?

I believe installation of roundabouts is nothing more than Franklin's desire to look cosmopolitan. I have driven these around here and out east - they're dangerous and certainly impratical for 27th St. The many initial years after installation will prove frustrating as these are NOT part of our driving culture here in the midwest and people will be confused, I can almost guarantee it. And after reading the comments from our elected officals that people are generally against them but will get used to them is truly arrogant. They need to talk to the people who live along the 27th St. Corridor and will be the most affected by this and LISTEN to us (I know this hard, but pay attention because at election time, we will)! I have not talked to one neighbor who wants them. I for one will avoid 27th St. at all costs if these go in - that also means the businesses on 27th - there are other places to shop where it won't be such a hastle to get in and out. This is a shame because as a citizen of this city, I should not have to avoid a major street that is only 3 blocks from my home. Wake up Franklin & Oak Creek. This is not about a desire to avoid change, how ridiculous! That's just an excuse for dismissing what people want and going along with blinders because you've already made up your minds.

there not a good idea I feel there un safe , so many people cant drive them it is an accident waiting to happen

Put it to a vote in the cities involved and let the public decide what they are ultimately paying for!

Here's my opinion... http://www.westallisnow.com/blogs/communityblogs/48788532.html

They are only a good idea if they are big enough. Given the amount of traffic that would go through them, if they are only as big as the one in Racine on Hwy K and 38, it would be nothing but trouble. If, however, they can give them a bigger diameter, they may improve traffic through there.

The roundabouts are a ridiculous option for a street as busy as 27th. There are enough problems without creating another obstacle to a smooth traffic flow. People at 27th & College get really cranky if they are impeded. Waiting for cars to move in a roundabout situation will only make more problems.

As a former resident of the area for many years, I was appalled at the possible installation of these traffic "roundabouts". If you are saying to install them on 27th street - that is ridiculous. Just have the left hand turn lights always functioning instead of sometimes only. Way too much traffic on that road at all times of the day. I smwll disaster coming!

Roundabouts are a pain. While leaving back east there were several and they were a hassle to navigate. Just leave the intersections the way they are.

I do not like the idea of roundabouts. I have driven in the roundabouts in New Berlin and Whitewater and find them to be confusing and cause more traffic back ups then stanard traffic lights.

I like roundabouts, and find it very easy to move through them at a good and safe speed. The biggest problem is those who stop unnecessarily prior to entering the circle - this is what causes the backups. Failure to TAKE right-of-way is as much a problem as failure to yield right-of-way. I would like them on 27th St and would visit the area more often since I think I could travel to the stores more quickly.

I worked in Melborne, Australia for over 6 months which gave me first hand knowledge of how well roundabout work or don't work; I drove in them everyday. What I found was if the heavy traffic flow is only two directional(North to South/South to North or East to West/West to East) the roundabouts work great but if the heavy traffic flow is four directional that is at an intersection the traffic flow is heavy from all directions they can really hold up traffic because people tend to bumper ride and the other direction doesn't have a chance to get involved in the flow--this is true with either 2 lane or four lane traffic. The other thing is that people who are frightened by them will tend to just sit there rather than move into traffic which also tends to hold up traffic and irritate drivers behind them--here they call that road rage.

DOT should put out an information package on how to use them. We need instructions, in detail, as how to use this system How does one travling west on Drexel get to go south on 27th street? Who yields to who? Auto insurance comments would be nice. Thank You.

Roundabouts or traffic circles were common on the east coast years ago. They inhibited traffic flow. Most of the traffic circles there are now gone.

Yes! They take getting used to but are rather efficient.

Another benefit of traffic lights that nobody has said so far is that they break up the stream of 3 lane traffic allowing crossing of 27th street if you are shopping in some of the smaller stores on that route. Roundabouts would only spread out the flow making it impossible to cross - and lead to more accidents in those areas. You may be reducing the accidents at the intersections but they will be more than made up for with new ones at the business access points. Also agree totally with the one at 38 and K in Racine - a total disaster - you have to be in the correct lane otherwise you are spun off onto the wrong road.

I have traveled Europe with a car and have used their roundabouts and they are better designed then the ones in our area. They also don't have semi's using the roundabouts. Take a ride to Whitewater and watch how the semi's try to get through their roundabouts. They take up both lanes. Moreland Rd. is another example of a very poor roundabout.

Roundabouts are AWFUL. On mooreland you go from 40 mph to 20 very quickly to get through. You need to know the right lane. Thses are the WORST inventions ever!

The planners who are pushing the roundabouts gush about how prevalent they are in Europe. Yes, they are prevalent, but at bust intersections (of which all of the 27th St ones would qualify), they have had to add lights to regulate the flow of traffic. Otherwise, the cars never have a chance to merge into the roundabout. Kind of defeats the purpose of making the intersection "cheaper", since that is one of the reasons stated for the roundabouts in the first place.

I think they are terrible. I have had to use them a few times in New Berlin and I think they are very confusing. I am concerned they will cause more accidents on a busy street like this.

roundabout that the state have already installed are all to small. they place them at the on-off ramps of the highways, they are to small for trucks or cars towing a trailer, you can't navigate around them without being in 2 lanes and on the curb. if the state wants to place roundabouts on 27th street maybe the officials who want them should move to China, Australia, France, or the UK and enjoy them there and leave our roads alone.

I suspect that my great grandparents probably complained too when the first stops signs were placed on their country roads.They and their horses learned how to use them. All of us in our cars will learn how to use roundabouts. They are safer, more efficient and will facilitate the steady flow of traffic.

Just moved from OC and cannot fathom all the large trucks/semis and school buses that utilize 27th Street everyday being able to properly navigate these round-a-bouts. Right now if an accident occurs, the street is still usable due to lane shifts. What happens in a heavily used street as 27th w/bus or truck accident? I cannot imagine the headaches/back ups that would happen.

Absolutely not if fact this is one of the worst ideas I have ever heard of. Try crossing 27th street with traffic never stopping you couldn't do it. Not to mention how are pedestrians going to cross the street They may work in some places but not everywhere. Roundabouts are only ment for roads that are not generally busy and 27th street is extremely busy. In New Berlin traffic has gotten out of control that the police have to be sent out to do the job that the traffic lights once did. Not to mention that accidents have dramatically gone up. Same will happen here. I do think that roundabouts work if they are built in there proper places but this is not one of them in fact there couldn't be a worse place for a roundabout as busy highways like 27th street. Where else in America do you see roundabouts along busy commercial corridors you don't and all for good reason. They obviously don't belong there.