Arnold Drive Roundabout Moves Forward, Amid Concern

A proposal to build roundabout in front of the Hanna Boys Center passed through the Sonoma Valley Citizens Advisory Commission on Wednesday in a split 5-4 vote, according to an article in the Sonoma Index-Tribune. 

The $1.5 million project would replace the current four-way stop at Arnold Drive and Agua Caliente Road, and hopefully decrease risks at the intersection. 

"We believe it's a win-win," said Tom Angstadt, a trustee at Hanna Boys Center, to the Index-Tribune. "It slows traffic and cuts down on pollution."

But according to the Tribune's report, many attendees expressed concern that the roundabout would decrease safety and is inappropriate solution for the intersection.

Karla Noyes wanted to know what problem the roundabout is trying to solve. "This is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist," she added.

And Victor Hipkiss, who also lives on Agua Caliente east of the roundabout, wondered if it was needed. He said there's no morning rush and the only time traffic backs up is at 2:30 p.m.

Commissioner Clarence Jenkins, who ultimately voted against the project, also chastised staff for failing to provide enough background on the project.

"We don't have enough information," he said. "We know so little about them (roundabouts). I don't see traffic studies ... I don't see anything."

The project will continue if the county decides to move forward with an enviornmental report for the roundabout site.

Read the full text of the story here.