NEWS RELEASE:
According to a recently released letter (1/2/24 and shown below) to Caltrans from the Monterey County Regional Fire District, the proposed 9 roundabouts will “negatively impact emergency response”, have “significant impact” and “would not only delay the emergency response for public safety agencies” but also “compromise the flow of traffic and route flexibility in the event of an emergency evacuation” since Hwy 68 is a primary evacuation route. The letter further states that the internal time trials done by the Fire District with actual vehicles, found that there was a 32 second delay for each roundabout compared to the current signalized intersections, thus creating at least a 5 minute delay with the 9 roundabouts.
Everyone should read the letter (posted below) thoroughly to understand the impact that the 9 roundabouts will have on public safety.
The Monterey County Sheriff also agreed with the Fire Chief’s letter and stated in her own letter to Caltrans, that the roundabouts “will increase our response times overall for all hours of the day.”
This news may be a big surprise to those that saw and believed the blatantly false statement that TAMC and Caltrans have posted on their website for months stating that the proposed 9 roundabouts would “reduce emergency response times.” They should have known better using logic and readily available information. Traffic Engineers should know how long it takes for a 40,000-60,000 pound fire truck to slow down from 55 mph to 10 mph, go through a single lane roundabout (assuming it is not clogged with vehicles) and get back up to speed at 55 mph and then do that 9 times over 8 miles. Compare that to the current way of proceeding though the spacious intersections at 55 mph, or a little under, because they can use the existing the Opticom Emergency System that is at each of the existing intersections, to turn the lights green in the direction they are going.
A similar proposal by Caltrans in 2017 on Highway 126 in Ventura County was REJECTED by the local communities because the four proposed roundabouts in 8 miles would “significantly increase emergency response time” based upon input from the local fire and police. Here are some articles from that proposal that was eventually withdrawn by Caltrans.
HWY 126 Roundabout Project Discontinued | The Fillmore Gazette
Fillmore council votes to oppose Hwy 126 roundabouts (vcstar.com)
MONTEREY COUNTY REGIONAL FIRE DISTRICT letter to Caltrans
Having lived all my long life in the Salinas area and traveling back and forth on Highway 68 probably 50,000 times or more, I would be very much opposed to having all the Roundabouts built. Not only is it an enormous expense to our county and state, but the traffic control would be more efficient using the AI light controls on all of the intersection, It would be a nightmare to try to safely merge on to #68 from Los Laurels Grade, Corral de Tierra Road and San Benancio Road.
These are but three of our major intersections that have many, many homes in their areas.
I sincerely hope others friends will oppose the roundabouts being built on our scenic Highway 68.
Thank you.
My vote is no roundabouts !
This is an outrageous expense and possibly dangerous to emergency response. Listen to the public since we are the ones having to pay. You may set yourself up for a lawsuit besides by endangering the public.
Just can’t believe this is being promoted for such a small amount of miles. Caltrans would be helping the public much more with many more needed projects
Thank you,
Diane Gibeau