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More traffic trouble at the roundabout

By Billie Owens

Apparently two cars in separate incidences have had accidents within the last half hour at or near the roundabout on Oak Street. Traffic is now backed up "all the way around," an officer says, "so expect some complaints."

One car struck a curb, flattening a tire. A mechanic service is going to change out the tire with the driver's spare and she'll have to pay the expense. The cost will be $54 cash or credit, which the driver says she has. The service is en route.

The woman told police she was "confused," and an officer said she should go to the hospital.

Another car, a silver Mustang, reportedly struck a light pole whereupon the male driver abandoned the vehicle. He is known to police and has friends on Oak Street, which is where he is believed to be.

National Grid has been notified. The Department of Public Works has been notified about the pole.

Robert Caplick

Oh why oh why.... That is the dumbest design I have ever seen... There is way too much traffic going through there to have that there. They should have reopened the walkway as a bridge again before putting that in...

Oct 26, 2010, 3:23pm Permalink
Robin Murphy

Growing up in New Jersey where there are circles and jug handles just about every few miles they can work. But the circles there are huge in size compared to this one. It is too small of an area for a circle. I always see trucks have to drive over the middle a bit just to swing around it. Wonder what it is going to be like when the snow starts flying!

Oct 26, 2010, 7:31pm Permalink
Steven Roth

First we had the insanity of the "roundabout". Then we had Oak St cut down to 1 lane each direction. Now we have Ellicott St 1 lane each direction.

I wish I could understand this thinking....or even come up with a reasonable excuse.

In a city with increasing traffic flow due to more cars & those %^&*#$% 18 wheelers that use us as their shortcut, to decrease the size of the pipe to push all this crap though gives the same results as it would at home.....BACKUP!!!!!

With a week before mid-term elections, thank you to all the politicians that allow this to happen & our money to be wasted!!

Oct 26, 2010, 8:10pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Robin, the trucks are ___supposed to___ drive over the inner circle. That's what it was designed for.

I love the roundabout. It's a 100 percent improvement over the previous intersection. Often when I need to cross town, I plan my route to go through the roundabout so I can avoid the nightmare of the Oak and Main intersection. I can always count on smooth flowing traffic through the roundabout.

BTW: why does anybody think the accident in the picture above was caused by the roundabout?

Oct 26, 2010, 8:27pm Permalink
Mary E DelPlato

I hope no one was hurt...on a different note Haaaaa haaaaa haaaa haaaaaaa haaaaaaaaaaaa omg did anyone not see this coming??????how many fender benders arent bein reported where the ass curve is near tim hortons and wendys....lmao howard drive over the bricks???so that is the job security for them to be replaced on a annual basis???

Oct 26, 2010, 9:24pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Gabor, you're slippin' buddy. You're the official VJ for The Batavian, not me. This takes me back to when i was a young fella, staying up late on Friday night to watch Don Kirschner's Rock Concert.

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Oct 26, 2010, 10:13pm Permalink
Bob Price

I bet a young kid trying to see how fast he can take the roundabout on-the white tractor trailer in background is from PDI driving school in Rochester(which USED to be in Batavia,BTW)-coming back from Buffalo after a long day of road tests in Buffalo.......

Oct 26, 2010, 10:44pm Permalink
Jessica Moscicki

If people knew it was a YIELD, instead of a full complete stop and that you can go around circle in only one direction maybe it would help. I see many people whom don;t know how to drive in the circle.

Oct 27, 2010, 7:55am Permalink
Thomas Mooney

If someone has difficulty driving around or figuring out how to drive around the roundabout then one should not be driving . I agree with Howard about the roundabout , much safer and keeps traffic moving better than what was there before . The one thing that holds this town back is that people hate change ,so much that they will do anything they can to make it difficult to inact and will do whatever it takes to point out the negatives . I love the roundabout and hope none of you do ,so its even less traffic that I have to deal with when trying to escape the city limits .

Oct 27, 2010, 8:55am Permalink
Dave Olsen

OK, Gabor I take "you're slippin'" back. That roundabout is so much better than the intersection that was there. The roundabouts have to be an approved design from the state DOT, by the way, it's not like the city just arbitrarily decides to build one, especially since 2 NY State Routes (98 & 33) are involved. I'm not sure the city had much say in it at all.

Oct 27, 2010, 10:34am Permalink
Bob Price

I have driven it a few times-not a bad thing after all.I just wish they would have made the lanes wider for all the truck traffic that needs to negotiate it.Yeah,yeah,I know they made the center lower so it could be driven over if needed.I just hate truck tires going over any curb,that's all.

Oct 27, 2010, 7:10pm Permalink
Susan Brownell

I have to go to Attica today from Bergen. I remember taking a detour when they were working on the "roundabout" and would like to have someone remind me as to what roads that was, so that I can get back on to 98 without going through this circle. I would be coming from the East side of Batavia.

Thanks for any help!

Dec 13, 2010, 8:46am Permalink
Bea McManis

1. Head south on N Lake Ave toward Rochester St
2. Take the 3rd right onto NY-33 W/Clinton Street Rd
3. Turn right at E Main St
4. Turn left at Jackson St.
5. Turn right at Chestnut St.
6. Turn left at NY-98 S/Walnut St

Have a safe trip.

Dec 13, 2010, 9:00am Permalink

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