Conway to build more roundabouts. This is the reason.

Conway, Arkansas – In Arkansas, Conway is typically referred to by two nicknames.

The “City of Roundabouts” frequently follows “The City of Colleges” because the former has the most number in the state.

Mayor Bart Castleberry of Conway stated, “At the moment, we have 35.”

According to Castleberry, the city intends to install three more roundabouts and is now working on another one at Donaghey, Caldwell, and Western.

Castleberry claims that it all began with the city’s explosive growth prior to the commencement of his mayoralty.

“That’s when our growth really started to accelerate,” stated Castleberry. “A roundabout was tried out at the time by the street director and the mayor as a different alternative to move traffic in Conway, and it seemed to work pretty well.”

Since its installation in 2005 at Washington, Tyler, and Winfield, thirty-four more roundabouts have been added.

Are they better than stoplights, though?

Yes, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT).

In June, a brochure from ARDOT claimed that compared to a regular intersection, roundabouts caused 35% fewer crashes and 90% fewer fatalities.

According to ARDOT Public Information Officer Dave Parker, “There’s just a whole lot more potential danger at a conventional intersection versus the roundabout.” “When you approach the roundabout while driving, the curve of the road causes you to slow down. In the event of a collision, your car is typically damaged more by a side impact than by a head-on collision, as would occur at a regular junction.”

Parker listed additional justifications for his belief in roundabouts, including the fact that their constant traffic flow makes them speedier.

Moreover, it requires less upkeep than a traffic light.

He acknowledged that at first they might be unclear, but the advantages are too great to pass up.
“After that, you ask, ‘How do I navigate?'” How should I move about in it? Roundabouts are generally liked, I believe,” Parker remarked.

According to Castleberry, Conway’s response has generally been this: initially confused, then enthusiastic.

“They have turned around,” stated Castleberry. “Because they understand that it actually moves traffic and makes traveling from point A to point B faster.”

Prince Street and Country Club Road, Salem, and Meadowlake Road, and Highway 64 West and Hogan Lane are the other three Conway crossings, according to Castleberry, that have proposals for roundabouts.

According to Castleberry, work on the intersection of Highway 64 and Hogan should start sometime in the following month.