Two way again, but GPS doesn`t know

By John Howell
Posted 11/24/16

After more than 40 years of counter-clockwise traffic around the core of Apponaug Village, two-way travel was restored to Veterans Memorial Drive and its extension Tuesday, but don't count on a GPS knowing. While there were delays,

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Two way again, but GPS doesn`t know

Posted

After more than 40 years of counter-clockwise traffic around the core of Apponaug Village, two-way travel was restored to Veterans Memorial Drive and its extension Tuesday, but don’t count on a GPS knowing. While there were delays, especially during the late afternoon commute Tuesday, there wasn’t a single accident police report.

Reviews of the circulator, which depends on roundabouts rather than traffic signals to handle traffic flow, were generally favorable with the common belief things will improve as motorists grow accustomed to the system.

It may take longer for GPS to catch up says Department of Transportation spokesman Charles St. Martin.

“GPS doesn’t know these roads exist,” he said Wednesday.

Police Sgt. John Kelly was happy with the system, concluding, “The biggest issue is to get people to use Veterans Memorial Drive.”

Kelly attributed delays in the flow of eastbound traffic Tuesday afternoon to motorists thinking they had to use Apponaug Four Corners in order to get on Post Road and the underpass to West Shore Road. The four corners will be the last of the five intersections to be converted to a roundabout and until next year will be controlled by a traffic signal. With motorists not realizing they could continue on Veterans Memorial Drive to reach the underpass, traffic backed up at the light and affected the roundabout.

With a staggered opening of the system, Kelly said motorists are growing accustomed to how it works. The key, he said, is for motorists to yield on entering a roundabout and, once circulating, to realize “they own it.”

Kelly said the system is designed so motorists reduce or eliminate left turns that slow traffic. For that reason, there are not cuts in the Veterans Memorial Drive divider other than the “mountable” curb in front of the fire station that allows emergency vehicles to access the eastbound lane.

St. Martin said Wednesday, “We’re pleased with the way it is going.”

He reiterated the “basic rules of a roundabout”: approach at a slow speed and yield to traffic already in the roundabout. For a tutorial in driving roundabouts he suggests the DOT website, www.dot.ri.gov/community/safety/roundabouts.php.

St. Martin said a certain amount of hesitation is to be expected by motorists unfamiliar with the system. He pointed out the curbing to the roundabouts is designed as a “truck apron,” allowing trailer trucks and other large vehicles to mount the curb and stay in their lane.

Mayor Scott Avedisian said he’s gotten “rave reviews” since two-way traffic has been restored to Veterans Memorial Drive.

City Planner William DePasquale is a disciple of the system.

“I’ve been driving this all these years and I love it,” he said.

DePasquale is enamored with improved traffic flow and with the landscaping, including improved lighting and signage, plantings and wider sidewalks.

“I couldn’t be more excited about Apponaug,” he said. “You really get that sense of what the village is.”

With a tax stabilization agreement in place for the saw-tooth building, a part of the former Apponaug Mill that was largely lost to fire in the 1960s, DePasquale can imagine developer interest in the property. The building is owned by the state. DePasquale sees a mixed use of residential, retail and office that would make the village a destination. Ultimately, he sees development “knitting back” to the waterfront with new development along Apponaug Cove.

Until then, he’s enjoying a smooth ride to and from work.

GOING TWO WAYS:

Veterans Memorial Drive has been reopened to two-way traffic after more than 40 years. (Warwick Beacon photos)

ROUNDABOUT COMMENTARY:

The posted comments of Kenneth Rudman, DMD, have added a touch of levity to the transformation of Apponaug.

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  • ddavejb

    GPS doesn't know Main Ave has been relocated either. I get the old 'recalculating route' when I go through there. On a positive note, I think Apponaug will be a much better drive once people figure things out. That wasn't the case Wednesday night when the driver in front of me stopped, then took a left(!) at the first roundabout entrance going east on Centerville road in order to head toward Kent Hospital. TG no one else was in the roundabout at the time.

    Saturday, November 26, 2016 Report this