Residents ask Tualatin to swap proposed 115th signal for roundabout in TSP update

Brett Hamilton, representing neighbors near Tualatin Road, asked the council on July 12 to change the Transportation System Plan (TSP) project description for 115th Avenue from a traffic signal to a roundabout and to increase community engagement on the project.

Hamilton told the council the community is "very concerned about the negative impacts" of a signal at 115th because commuter traffic could divert through residential streets to bypass a signal. He urged the city to adopt a roundabout instead, saying the neighborhood strongly prefers that option.

Hamilton recalled questions raised at the Tualatin Planning Commission and quoted Commissioner Lettick as asking staff about roundabout efficiency: "would you want to comment on the efficiency of a roundabout, how it might alleviate diversions? Theoretically, it's proven that roundabouts facilitate flow better than a traffic signal," Hamilton recounted to the council, adding that "the community agrees a roundabout would be a better choice."

He said the neighborhood favors a roundabout at the intersection of Herman Road and Tualatin Road as a way to encourage commuters to use Herman Road rather than cut through local streets, and noted concerns that the current intersection design fails to meet the needs of residents on Cheyenne Way.

The comment was presented during the public-comment portion of the council meeting; no formal council action was taken on the TSP during this session. Hamilton asked the city to change the project title in the TSP from "115th signal" to "115th roundabout" to reflect community preference and requested more communication between staff, commissioners and neighbors as project planning continues.