Roundabout is giving us the runaround

The city of Agoura Hills does not appear to have its financial act together, spending money fighting projects destined for approval on one hand and paying consultants for ill-conceived projects on the other. The latest example of this is paying a quarter of a million dollars for the design of a traffic circle for the intersection of Kanan and Agoura roads.

Once again, in promoting this roundabout, the city is giving us the runaround. For now we learn that the circle will consist of three lanes, which are far greater than any of the roads presently meeting at that intersection, not counting turning lanes. This is massive, particularly when you consider the size of its landscaped, sculpture/water feature-highlighted center.

And, excuse me, I don't see it as "calming" either traffic or the temperament of drivers, especially in the summer when a good portion of them will be transient beachgoers and sightseers not necessarily familiar with the area.

Personally, I look forward to the community workshops that the consulting firm is to hold in May or June to learn how a three-lane traffic circle will be in keeping with the "rural nature" of Agoura Hills, be safe for pedestrians, and again, "calm traffic" while having a "continuous flow."

Lastly, roundabouts, traffic circles and rotaries are not new to the United States, but somehow I don't see a plaza at the juncture of Agoura and Kanan Roads as compliant with our city's rural nature. Nor do I see spending a quarter of a million dollars just for its design, not construction. Rather, I'd throw that money over to our schools that are bemoaning state budget cuts and whose quality is a major reason for living here.
Dan Gersten
Agoura Hills