The One Intersection That Needs A Roundabout In Davenport

One word brings so much fear, anxiety, and anger to drivers.  American drivers.  Roundabouts are popular around the world and are becoming more popular everywhere in America including the Midwest and the Quad Cities.  If you've been to the Middle Road/Forest Grove Drive area by the TBK Sports Complex you know all about them.

Yet, some people hate them.  But, there is one intersection in Davenport that absolutely, 100% should be turned into a roundabout.

What Is A Roundabout?

If you've somehow avoided these your entire life, that is impressive.  But a roundabout is "a circular intersection where traffic moves counterclockwise around a central island without stop signs or traffic signals".

Roundabouts can increase traffic capacity by up to 50%.

How To Use A Roundabout.

If you need to read this part you probably hate roundabouts.  But we're here to help you out.

According to the Iowa DOT, "At roundabouts, the traffic circulates counter-clockwise and moves toward vehicles at the yield line. Vehicle operators should always yield at the entry to circulating traffic. In practice, that means yield to traffic from the left, similar to the action that is necessary when entering a freeway or turning right at a red traffic light/signal."

Got it?  No?  OK...then you might need to avoid them.  However, the Iowa DOT has another 16 FAQs that might help you out.  Including the question "Can I Cross To The Center Island?"  SMH.

Where Does Davenport Need A Roundabout?

It's the worst intersection in the city, probably the state, and possibly the country.  Especially during fair week.  Welcome to 5 Points.  Who was the j-hole that designed this thing years ago?  Can we rename 5 Points after that person so every time you are sitting at the light for 10 minutes you can curse their name?

This intersection is the perfect example of an intersection that needs to be turned into a roundabout.  Traffic coming from 5 directions all having to sit and wait to go in any other direction.

Want to go right?  Nope!  You can't just turn...you have to wait till all 20 other possible directions go then you can finally do what you could have done in 3 seconds in a roundabout.

Think I'm crazy...yes...but even Quad City Memes is on board!

OK, maybe they were just trying to stir things up.  Because it sure did with all those comments.  But, when I saw this I finally said yes...it's time to push the campaign!

Now sure, there would be some growing pains.  But I mean Verizon, Walgreens, and the NEW car wash (cause yes, there is a new car wash going at the busy confusing intersection) would probably need to come down to make room for the roundabout.   But hey, that's progress.  There are plenty of other open buildings and lots to set up shop.

And we realize that while the concept is really not hard...there would still be some Davenport drivers that would get through the roundabout like this.

And that's fine.  Weed out the bad drivers and the rest of us can get through the 5-point circle roundabout in seconds instead of minutes.

So join us and our friends at Quad City Memes in a 5-Point Roundabout revolution!  We'll see you on the other side...as some folks drive in circles for hours trying to figure out how to get out.