Both lanes reopen at Washington Blvd. roundabout

Both lanes at the Washington Blvd. roundabout opened this week, according to the city of Roseville website. The new roundabout, located at Washington Blvd., Lincoln Street and All America City Blvd., opened the north and southbound lanes as weather permitted. The city anticipates future "intermittent lane impacts" following the opening. The Local Route D bus stop at Washington Blvd. past All America City Blvd. was also opened. "Stay alert and travel with care in the work zone," the website encourages. The project is estimated to open to the public next winter. All updates about the roundabout project can be found at roseville.ca.us/cms/one.aspx?pageId=17110315. According to a previous Gold Mountain California News Media article, the roundabout is being implemented as a requirement of the @the Grounds expansion at 700 Event Center Drive to mitigate environmental impacts caused by the venue's attendance and "optimize traffic flow in and out of the facility," said the project's website. The roundabout's inclusion is also said to allow a "distinctive entry point into Historic Old Town and Downtown Roseville." Chairman of the Board of Directors at Placer County Transportation Planning Agency Paul Joiner said two "big pluses" to adding a roundabout are, "Any collision that does take place will be more of a sideswipe contact, greatly reducing the chances of fatalities," and, "No electricity is needed to power the signal lights, which saves taxpayers dollars." Major traffic changes occurred July 10 when Lincoln Street was closed for concrete pouring, the website says. Lincoln Street will remain closed for the remainder of the roundabout's construction to allow "for continued construction activity" and to "maintain crew safety." All America City Blvd. closed next on Aug. 9 "to expedite work" on that area of the project, the website says. In addition to the roundabout, the project will include other improvements such as a multi-use path, new crosswalks, improved bicyclist and pedestrian safety, landscaping and aesthetic road improvements.