Rocklin Road and Pacific Street Roundabout completed

The long-awaited Rocklin Road and Pacific Street Roundabout was mostly completed on Feb. 18, according to Rocklin City Manager Aly Zimmerman. "The bulk of the heavy lifting" was completed, Zimmerman said at the Feb. 14 Rocklin City Council meeting, "and all that is left to finish is the striping." . Portions of the roundabout were closed between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Feb. 15 to complete the striping, according to Rocklin officials. "There are a few minor projects the contractor will be completing over the next few weeks," said Haley Reid, a Rocklin City Manager's Office spokesperson told Gold Mountain California News Media, "However, this work is weather-dependent. Drivers may notice workers in the area or minor lane shifts as these items are completed." If there will be any additional closures due to remaining construction, the city of Rocklin will alert residents at www.rocklin.ca.us/roundabout and post updates on social media. "The project will improve traffic circulation and access to community destinations in the Quarry District," Rocklin associate civil engineer Keith Jukes said, "The roundabout design was chosen because it reduces collisions and increases intersection efficiency." The new roundabout has received mixed feelings from Rocklin and Roseville residents alike. "They flow nicely if people know how to navigate them," Roseville resident Sheri Hill said. "I haven't had to take a driving test in a while, but maybe a roundabout section should be included in a test to guide those that don't know how to use them." Rocklin has plans to create an "educational campaign" called The 3 Y's, which is to yield to pedestrians, yield to the circle and yield to pedestrians. Some residents have reported multiple accidents and near accidents at the new roundabout. "Two cars in front of me got into an accident! People do not know how to drive in them correctly," said Donna Howell of Rocklin about the first time she went through the roundabout, Rocklin resident Janet Reeves suggests, "Stop signs are needed, people don't understand the yield, I was nearly hit because people don't understand how they work, you don't jump out until it is safe to do so. End of story." During the two out of four times she drove in the roundabout, Rocklin resident Luau Schmidt said, a car came to a complete stop to let someone in, although the car they let in must yield to traffic in the circle. "The other two times, drivers in the roundabout crossed lanes and almost hit people," Schmidt said, "I have not found it any quicker going through that intersection than it was with the stop light." Claudia Amici of Rocklin said, "I like the roundabouts. Most other countries use them as it improves the flow of traffic rather than having to make full stops or wait for traffic lights. It also prevents more severe accidents from people running red lights. We just all need to learn the meaning of 'yield to oncoming traffic.' Drive slower and yield. It works fabulously when done correctly." The Rocklin Road and Pacific Street Roundabout construction began in 2022 after the groundbreaking ceremony on April 19, according to an April 22, 2022 Gold Country Media article, "Rocklin begins construction on roundabout at Rocklin Road and Pacific Street." The Rocklin Road and Pacific Street intersection began as a blinking red light with two lanes, then became a stoplight with two lanes, and then a four- lane signalized intersection, Rocklin Mayor Ken Broadway said at the April 19, 2022 groundbreaking ceremony. The roundabout is completely funded by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Federal Grant of $4.46-million. The federal grant provides funding to states to improve transportation. No local funds were used.