Alton Circle?

NH_boater · 04-16-2011, 08:56 AM

The real problem for me is that it is opposite from virtually every other cirlce in the world; Right-of-way goes to the people entering the circle rather than those in the cirlce. It is backwards and dangerous (for poeple do not know it) for that reason.

This is also the reason the circle has to be so big; for the que in the cirlce rather than entering.

Jonas Pilot · 04-16-2011, 09:01 AM

How many accidents have happened there?

jmen24 · 04-16-2011, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonas Pilot

How many accidents have happened there?

The real question is how many accidents at this site compared to a properly configured circle or round-about, that is on par with most every other circle or round-about someone could encounter in the entire country.

Take a look at the layout posted above, I think it will all come clear as to the improvements. The lines tell the story. Looks a lot like Portsmouth.

Rusty · 04-16-2011, 03:20 PM

jmen24......your posts are funny!

It was proposed to make it a true roundabout/circle but it would cost 2.5 million compared to the oval shape modification of 1 million.

This is what was proposed (and I think it should have been done this way):

Grady223 · 04-20-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rusty

jmen24......your posts are funny!

It was proposed to make it a true roundabout/circle but it would cost 2.5 million compared to the oval shape modification of 1 million.

This is what was proposed (and I think it should have been done this way):

Why? I agree that no change was needed, but if they wanted to spend the money, the set up they are going with makes the most sense - easier on my tires, too.

lawn psycho · 04-16-2011, 09:06 AM

The entrance to Dunkin Donuts can be a mess when cars are waiting to turn in heading South. Traffic backs-up and it should have a turn lane.

If the people entering have the ROW then they need stop signs or it will be confusing. Of course stop signs would defeat the round-a-boat.

On busy weekends I find the section near the Alton Store to be the most convoluted and needing of some widening and lane adjustments. Not sure I agree with the whole rework job. They should re-think the entry and exit points for the store as people darting in and out is part of the problem since there's a huge apron rather than a defined entry point.

Towing a boat through there on a busy weekend can be a true test of your brakes....

Waterbaby · 04-20-2011, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawn psycho

Towing a boat through there on a busy weekend can be a true test of your brakes....

Never mind what it does to your sanity..................... and blood pressure!

ghfromaltonbay · 04-16-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NH_boater

The real problem for me is that it is opposite from virtually every other cirlce in the world; Right-of-way goes to the people entering the circle rather than those in the cirlce. It is backwards and dangerous (for poeple do not know it) for that reason.

The problem at the Alton Circle was that the cars entering from Route 11 East or West had the right of way over those entering from Rt. 28 N/S, not those already in the circle as most roundabouts have. Many times when I was headed west on Rt. 11 just past McD's and was bearing left at the CITGO station to continue onto Main St., those coming down Rt. 28S would fail to observe the yield sign (and were doing more than the posted 30 mph). Also, heading east on Rt. 11 just past Dunkin Donuts the traffic again coming down 28 would think they had the right of way since they were already in the circle. Not so, there is another Yield sign there as well across from Aubuchons. I have seen several bad accidents at the circle. Does anyone remember the overturned fuel truck and subsequent power failure on a July Sunday about 15 years ago?

upthesaukee · 04-16-2011, 01:22 PM

When completed, all entrances will have a slight right curve to enter the circle. The traffic on the circle will have the right of way and traffic entering the circle will have to yield. The entrance into the store and gas station will be redone, with only one small entrance in and out on rte 11.

Accidents: yes there have been some, besides the Irving Gas truck that overturned (too fast on the curve). It really isn't the number of accidents in the past, it's about trying to prevent the really big one in the future. Most locals or those with local knowledge realize that they must hold their breath with other traffic around, because many folks feel that they are on the circle, therefore they have the right of way and blow off the yield signs. Hopefully it will smooth out the traffice flow and greatly reduce the potential for a major accident.

RailroadJoe · 04-16-2011, 01:28 PM

RUSTY I stand corrected. Thanks for the layout. It still looks dangerous to me. Lets see how many accidents it stops or increases.

Jonas Pilot · 04-16-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

When completed, all entrances will have a slight right curve to enter the circle. The traffic on the circle will have the right of way and traffic entering the circle will have to yield. The entrance into the store and gas station will be redone, with only one small entrance in and out on rte 11.

Accidents: yes there have been some, besides the Irving Gas truck that overturned (too fast on the curve). It really isn't the number of accidents in the past, it's about trying to prevent the really big one in the future. Most locals or those with local knowledge realize that they must hold their breath with other traffic around, because many folks feel that they are on the circle, therefore they have the right of way and blow off the yield signs. Hopefully it will smooth out the traffice flow and greatly reduce the potential for a major accident.

Just curious.
Does having traveled through the circle more than 1,500 times qualify me for
"local knowledge"?
This is just one more example of "fixing a problem" that barely exists. These are the types of projects that benefit those hired to do it. This is just another example of why this country is so far in debt.

RailroadJoe · 04-16-2011, 05:00 PM

RUSTY The original was probably scrapped because it would be too hard to get to McD's for my morning coffee.
Otherwise, it looked okay. Thanks for both layouts.

Rusty · 04-16-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RailroadJoe

RUSTY The original was probably scrapped because it would be too hard to get to McD's for my morning coffee.
Otherwise, it looked okay. Thanks for both layouts.

Thanks RailroadJoe,

I knew there was a better reason than just the 1.5 million difference.

04-16-2011, 08:56 AM	#1
NH_boater Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 298 Thanks: 14 Thanked 147 Times in 62 Posts	Bad circle rules The real problem for me is that it is opposite from virtually every other cirlce in the world; Right-of-way goes to the people entering the circle rather than those in the cirlce. It is backwards and dangerous (for poeple do not know it) for that reason. This is also the reason the circle has to be so big; for the que in the cirlce rather than entering.

04-16-2011, 01:22 PM	#9
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,604 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,469 Thanked 1,983 Times in 1,083 Posts	Alton Elongated circle Ellipse oval When completed, all entrances will have a slight right curve to enter the circle. The traffic on the circle will have the right of way and traffic entering the circle will have to yield. The entrance into the store and gas station will be redone, with only one small entrance in and out on rte 11. Accidents: yes there have been some, besides the Irving Gas truck that overturned (too fast on the curve). It really isn't the number of accidents in the past, it's about trying to prevent the really big one in the future. Most locals or those with local knowledge realize that they must hold their breath with other traffic around, because many folks feel that they are on the circle, therefore they have the right of way and blow off the yield signs. Hopefully it will smooth out the traffice flow and greatly reduce the potential for a major accident. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!

04-16-2011, 09:01 AM	#2
Jonas Pilot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wolfeboro, New Hampshire is my home, 24-7-365 Posts: 1,686 Thanks: 1,047 Thanked 336 Times in 189 Posts	How many accidents have happened there?

04-16-2011, 03:20 PM	#4
Rusty Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 2,028 Thanks: 603 Thanked 687 Times in 425 Posts	jmen24......your posts are funny! It was proposed to make it a true roundabout/circle but it would cost 2.5 million compared to the oval shape modification of 1 million. This is what was proposed (and I think it should have been done this way):

04-16-2011, 09:06 AM	#6
lawn psycho Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: On the move... Posts: 987 Thanks: 113 Thanked 248 Times in 133 Posts	The entrance to Dunkin Donuts can be a mess when cars are waiting to turn in heading South. Traffic backs-up and it should have a turn lane. If the people entering have the ROW then they need stop signs or it will be confusing. Of course stop signs would defeat the round-a-boat. On busy weekends I find the section near the Alton Store to be the most convoluted and needing of some widening and lane adjustments. Not sure I agree with the whole rework job. They should re-think the entry and exit points for the store as people darting in and out is part of the problem since there's a huge apron rather than a defined entry point. Towing a boat through there on a busy weekend can be a true test of your brakes....

The Following User Says Thank You to upthesaukee For This Useful Post:
trfour (04-16-2011)

04-16-2011, 01:28 PM	#10
RailroadJoe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 620 Thanks: 259 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	RUSTY I stand corrected. Thanks for the layout. It still looks dangerous to me. Lets see how many accidents it stops or increases.

04-16-2011, 05:00 PM	#12
RailroadJoe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 620 Thanks: 259 Thanked 158 Times in 100 Posts	RUSTY The original was probably scrapped because it would be too hard to get to McD's for my morning coffee. Otherwise, it looked okay. Thanks for both layouts.