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Committee delays decision on yield sign for North Main roundabout slip lane, requests Public Works options
Summary
After members raised confusion about who has right of way on the North Main roundabout slip lane, the committee voted to keep the item in committee and asked Public Works to present options (sign, pavement marking, striping) next month; designers had preferred a merge sign rather than a yield sign.
The Public Safety Committee on May 21 decided to retain for further review a request to change the merge sign to a yield sign on the slip lane of the North Main roundabout, after designers cautioned that a yield sign could reduce roundabout capacity and shift traffic into the main circle.
Councilors and residents described repeated driver confusion at the slip lane. One councilor said, "I've experienced several times... people think they have the right of way," and argued a yield sign could provide clarity. Public Works and the original roundabout designer advised caution: replacing the merge sign with a yield sign could prompt more drivers to use the roundabout instead of the slip lane and could reduce throughput. "The designer... said it is okay, but they don't prefer to place a yield sign," Public Works staff told the committee.
Police reported five accidents since striping and said only one involved the slip‑lane conflict; staff suggested additional options such as adding yield striping, modifying merge geometry to create more merge area, or other pavement markings. After discussion a councilor moved to keep the item in committee for one month and asked Public Works to return with a full recommendation that includes signage, pavement marking and striping options; the motion passed by voice vote.
