Petition for roundabout around General Palmer statue

Dara Korn
·1 min read

(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Members of the “Beautiful Colorado Springs” Facebook page have created an online petition to convert the intersection at Nevada Avenue and Platte Avenue downtown into a roundabout, to enhance traffic safety while preserving the location of the General Palmer statue.

According to the petition, from 2015 to 2019, 21 of the 25 crashes at the intersection were caused by left turns around the statue.

'No left turn' signs posted at Nevada and Platte intersection
Courtesy: FOX21 Reporter Rhea Jha

In September 2023, in response to the overwhelming number of accidents caused by the statue obstructing visibility, the city put up signs at the light prohibiting left turns from Platte onto Nevada.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: No more left turns at iconic Colorado Springs intersection

According to the “Beautiful Colorado Springs” Facebook page, the roundabout would not only improve the safety of the intersection, but it would also shift the statue from a road obstruction into a beautiful feature. The Facebook page also shared a link to a video showing how a roundabout could be implemented in the intersection.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, roundabouts can result in a reduction of fatalities by 90%, injuries by 35%, and all crashes by 35%, compared to other types of intersections. Additionally, the slower speeds required to enter a roundabout create safer conditions for pedestrians.

According to the petition, they have reached over 200 signatures, and are looking for more, though they ask that only those from the area sign.

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