The Town of Tonawanda tested out a pop up roundabout at the intersection of Parker Boulevard and Decatur Road Wednesday. The Town was looking to get the publics opinion on how the roundabout worked as an alternative to the structurally old traffic light currently at the intersection.
"Some of the gear is broken down and needs to be addressed at one point or another" Town of Tonawanda Engineer Jim Jones said.
The roundabout would cost the town approximately $700,000, with Wednesday's demonstration costing less than $2,000.
The introduction of a roundabout is supposed to slow traffic down at the intersection and make it safer for pedestrians to cross. The Town says that a roundabout is a safer option than a four-way stop, or traffic light.
Despite that, many community members are annoyed with the trial.
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" one neighbor said.
"Right now there would be no way of cars stopping except for if a child steps onto the cross walk" Ken Winger a neighbor who has created a petition against the creation of the roundabout said.
The Town wanted to make it very clear that this was just one step in the process, and no decision has been made towards building the roundabout. Today was simply a test and the intersection will be back to being traffic light controlled effective tomorrow morning.
