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A plan for a peanut-shaped roundabout with two circles is up for consideration.
ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. — Atlantic Beach city leaders are coming back around to an old idea for one of the city’s most complicated intersections.
A traffic study is underway for a possible roundabout at the five-way stop by city hall.
“Man, I hate the five-way stop because no one is ever paying attention to who’s turn it was,” said Mike Pickett, who frequently drives through the intersection. “Honestly, I think a roundabout would be good.”
Pickett says he often finds himself taking on the five-way stop at Seminole Road and Plaza in Atlantic Beach on his way to a surfing session at the 18th Street Beach access.
It’s safe to say it’s not his favorite part of the drive.
“If I know someone is going out of turn, I’ll speed up to make them second guess it sometimes, so maybe a roundabout would be good for me, stop some road rage,” said Pickett.
Pickett may notice some cameras set up at the five-way on his next surfing trip.
The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization is collecting data on how many cars go through it and how long they spend waiting for their turn before finalizing a proposal for a roundabout.
It’s not the first time folks in Atlantic Beach have heard the idea tossed around.
“Every new commissioner and mayor dusts it off,” said City Commissioner Candace Kelly.
Kelly says she’s previously not been a fan of the roundabout idea.
“Some of the ladies that I ride with aren’t very assertive about going when it’s their turn, so I worry if we had a regular, circular roundabout, we’d never get out because they’d never get in,” said Kelly.
Kelly is willing to listen this time, because she’s heard it could be different.
“This one, apparently, is some other shape, like peanut-shaped, kind of,” said Kelly. “If all of our drivers would learn how to take their turn, then OK, good, let’s do it.”
Kelly points out this particular five-way has a unique obstacle when it comes to redesigning.
“There’s always been a concern about getting the fire trucks out,” said Kelly. “The TPO promises whatever they design will accommodate the fire trucks.”
Another issue in the past has been the price tag, so Kelly is hoping the city will be able to get some outside funding if they move forward with the idea.
Until then, Pickett will just have to try to keep a level head on his way to hitting the waves.
“Seems like there’s a lot of back up already at that stop, so I’m all for it honestly,” said Pickett.
The Transportation Planning Organization is going to continue collecting data with the cameras set up through the weekend, then they’ll present the idea next week for the peanut-shaped roundabout.
The meeting is at 10 a.m. Jan. 25 at Atlantic Beach City Hall.