I do not like this traffic circle! In the day, where there is plenty of natural light, it is easy to see the oncoming traffic. At dusk where everyone might not have on their headlights on, it can be difficult to see oncoming traffic. Also, with the bus stops positioned how they are, it makes seeing everything difficult.
I completely understand the purpose of a traffic circle and the purpose of them, so let's be clear. A traffic circle is a type of intersection that directs both turning and through traffic onto a one-way circular roadway, usually built for the purposes of traffic calming or aesthetics. This area does tend to be a high traffic area, Cesar Chavez Blvd (formerly only known as 39th Avenue) is a major roadway and close to I-84 on and off ramps, traffic does have a need to be controlled in the area. A traffic circle is more appropriate in this case because contrary to a roundabout, where entering traffic always yields to traffic already in the circle and merges in directly, the entrances to traffic circles are three-way intersections either controlled by stop signs, traffic signals, or not formally controlled. Colloquially, however, roundabouts are sometimes referred to as circles.
The bonus of this large traffic circle, the reason for all three stars is the golden Joan of Arc statue on the south side of the circle. The reason it is not in the center of the circle is because of the streetcar tracks the were in the middle of the circle. Even though the tracks are no longer there, the statue has never been moved to the center, but remained to the side. read more