Having driven many roundabouts on the East coast, I find it interesting that most of them are being torn out and replaced with regular N/S, E/S streets because of the problems with traffic flow and traffic backup/delays/accidents. If the plan is to make this a single lane rotary I would hope that it will be designed as a wider lane than a normal roadway lane is, otherwise there will be accidents and delays when people are entering/exiting the rotary. Also, be very prepared to decrease your speed to around 25mph because this is a confined area that will make it difficult to circle at much more than that speed. Glad there are other options because I'll be avoiding this now like the plague.

The public wasn't being consulted in this matter. They were being informed. In other words, they were being told and not asked. This thing is going to be shoved down our throats even though it's not needed and will likely cause accidents because people won't navigate it properly. It's an accident waiting to happen...

castaicjack, I was thinking the same thing. You can voice your opinions all you want, but we're still going to get a roundabout.

Ditto, ginnyp. Glad to hear someone else from the East coast feels the same way I do about this.

Pedestrians and cyclists? I suggest you start small, with just cars.

Just wait & see how much traffic backs up just after a freight train goes by. Did they even think of this?

Note the picture: Green arrow for those turning left, headed towards Lyons Ave, right arrow (not in this picture, but it's there) to those headed towards the 14 fwy. Only 7 cars in picture... wow what a necessary roundabout. This is the way the traffic is almost every time I go through this intersection (twice a day, minimum). What a waste of $2 million dollars!

Oh, forgot to add.. how do the people cross the street? There is currently crosswalks at the light. And what happens when they have an event at the park? Did they think of this? Have the people planning this ever even been there when the park is open?

So the last article generated about 100 comments, I think 1 person defended the city. The rest were anti roundabout. You are telling me that at last night's meeting there were no residents concerned about this roundabout? Everything other than the 1 timeline comment must have been glowing? Did residents praise the wisdom of the city? I would love to know the real story.

NotSoAwesome, I'm actually a native Californian, but my job has taken me to the East coast atleast 2 weeks a month for over 15 years. I did forget one other warning...be prepared to have to make more than one trip around the rotary if someone else on the rotary, or entering it cuts, you off so that you can't exit on the street you want to. As for pedestrians and bike riders, approach at your own risk if they don't install lights that stop all traffic to allow you to cross in the area. There is a rotary in Palmdale behind the Target/Lowes shopping center and it has wide open lane area. Might be worth the trip for people here in Santa Clarita to check out and drive a few times. Of course, there is little or no traffic on it, but it will give people a chance to get used to a rotary.

As a tribute to the failed parking attempt a few years ago, we are all going to be required to back into the roundabout.

TWO MILLION DOLLARS. Holy cow I've been telling everyone it was 1 million. What a waste of money.

$2 million to build a roundabout that will require tearing up a street, realigning it, relocating power and poles, etc.

$1 million to build a fence.

Anyone see anything wrong here besides the roundabout itself?

In 2006 SCV was ranked 18 out of 100 best places to live. 7 years later
it can no longer be found in the rankings. Usually when a business fails
we look at the management who mismanaged it. We should really look at the
elected members of City Hall to find our why this city is failing miserably.

To GinnyP (& others),
If you want the true feel, try the Hasley Canyon/Old Road roundabout between 4:30 and 6pm..

cms96 "We should really look at the
elected members of City Hall to find our why this city is failing miserably"

I think the reason these people got elected is poor voter turnout.. there just aren't enough people who care about who they elect to the city positions.

BBennets:
I don't think most of the residents even know about it. Too many people don't follow whats happening in our city. If they put up a sign stating what they plan, you can bet more than 25 people would be there.

It appears that most input is against this but construction starts after the 4th of July. Thanks for listening?

If it comes from the government it must be a conspiracy or more government wasteful spending.

Let's get a grip people.

It is a grant. Do you know what grant means?

Roundabouts significantly reduce injuries and costs from accidents at these intersections. Look it up and learn don't just emotionally react.

lincoln75, we don't need to look it up to learn. We can experience it first hand in Castaic. To all of the citizens of Castaic, I am truly sorry for the many times I have almost caused accidents at your roundabout. Coming off the freeway I am very aware of the roundabout. Coming back towards the roundabout from Hasley Cyn, I completely forget and just pull into traffic. I really dislike the Castaic roundabout.

If you can't handle a roundabout you shouldn't be driving.

There is a very dangerous trend here.
The city has always acted in total disregard to its citizens needs.
They are all bought off by developers, and use taxpayer funds for developer needs. There are city council members and their supporters who own land around downtown newhall, and will benefit from the more than 100 Million Dollars of taxpayer money spent there.
Whether it is bonehead backin parking, single lane on decoro, a 30 Million dollar library, 1 Million dollar fence with tv billboard, or a 2 million dollar roundabout, the issues are getting serious and we need competent people running the show!

In the last election the incumbunt mayor was thrown out of office by angry voters. Unheard of in todays times of indifference, but the city still does not get the message.

During the meeting the city did not present traffic data showing traffic patterns on newhall ave and main street.
They did not state how many accidents occurred at this intersection.
The presentation and need for the roundabout was only for a gateway to our beautiful library, and as a place for anoter piece of artwork.



The present city council members are unqualified to do the job. Santa Clarita is no longer a onehorse town of country bumkins.
In the next election, we should retire the people who cannot do the job.
They, and anyone else that supports the irresponsible waste of taxpayer mouney should be thrown out of office.

Oh lincoln75 comments , if its such a good idea, lets put the grandmothers roundabouts on valencia blvd (@mc bean pkwy, and @bouquet cyn)
and on newhall ranch road (@mcbean pkwy and @bouquet cyn)
The scammers at the city are the only ones left in la county with red light cameras. The red light cameras are gon in LA city. But our city leaders say that the red light cameras significantly reduce injuries and costs from accidents, and they also make the city alot of money!


Note to the city, can you fix other intersections in the city were there is gridlock during weekly rush hour, and on the weekends? would it be possible to fix these intersections?

I agree Lars: I Smell a very corupt current and past councils who have everything to gain with the silly ventures they feed us. Ever since I moved hear 13 years ago, I have sensed that developers have the leaders of this city in thier pockets. After being on the board of directors for a new HOA it was apparent how the city turned a blind eye to the developers many
screwups on the streets around the community. Along with allowing a major cell phone carrier to put up a cell antenna within the limits of a residence.
They basically go through the process of having public hearings because that is proper procedure but their minds are already set. As long as they are benefiting from it they will approve it. Its all about who you know in this town.

lincoln75, The city created a dangerous intersection when they put the roundabout in Castaic. I am a great driver. I have never been in an accident and I've been driving over 35 years. I can handle the roundabout, even though the city did a terrible job with posting signage, marking the road, etc. I'm sure they will do an equally brillant job in Newhall. Bonus for Newhall, this roundabout serves pedestrians too. Don't see too much of that at the Castaic Roundabout.

By Code4..."$2 million to build a roundabout that will require tearing up a street, realigning it, relocating power and poles, etc. $1 million to build a fence."
Just more lipstick on the pig. I'm sure our city has more pressing needs worthy of $3 million dollars.

FYI- The Castaic roundabout is in the county and not in the City. Also that roundabout is significantly bigger with 2 interior lanes. Newhall one is gong to be one lane. As with Lincoln, read stats about modern roundabouts and drive them yourself. Not confusing at all. Also a lot of misinformation being spread. Number of roundabouts being installed are up significantly, accidents are less. Just look up studies on Internet.

Also fence for Hart Park was done by County, not city.

@LStaedtler, I hope that the Newhall DMV makes it mandatory for all 1st time teen drivers and drivers over 80, taking a driving test, to pass in and out of the roundabout. I fear it will be far to dangerous to even be remotely comical.

The article states the $2 million comes from federal money, which is OUR tax dollars at work, which is the biggest waste of time, money and resources for such a teeny insignificant project ever, it's unfathomable how it can cost so much.

For everyone that thinks its so easy, go to the roundabout on the old road. I had to drive it 3 times a week and very few people went at the proper times. I really dont care what the (stats) say. Its a bad idea. Maybe we could do something about the turn from Via Princessa on to Whites. There is one turn lane and everyone from the three other lanes race to get into it at the last minute. Never fails if your in that lane you will have to be ready to be cut in front of. Or maybe we should find out why the sheriff backs up on the center island on Whites Canyon only to cut you off when he pulls out to chase someone.