Las Vegas is known for many things: the Strip, the sweltering heat, sports(books), endless construction, manhole covers… Seriously, what’s not to love? Well, apparently, the figure-eight roundabouts are the last straw.
According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, one such intersection in neighboring Henderson has seen 95 accidents since its installation in 2018. Ninety. Five. And that includes 13 accidents through May 15 of this year. As a former Clark County resident and frequent visitor (hello, family), I am familiar with this roundabout in the Inspirada neighborhood.
First of all, it is in the forests. Area traffic is generally just residents in the subdivisions that aren’t already overcrowded, Raiders employees, and hikers headed to Sloan Canyon (that would be me). But if the city of Hendo’s data is accurate, the Via Inspirada-Bicentennial Parkway intersection averages one and a half accidents per month. What are you all doing?
Well, to be fair, it’s stupid. The adjacent shopping center doesn’t help either. I can’t remember how many times I had to go around the damn thing just to get to the Jack in the Box. Forward. Judge me. My body is a temple to two-for-99-cent tacos.
Still, there’s no shortage of roundabouts and roundabouts in Southern Nevada, but the figure-eight configuration is rare. From a satellite view, the traffic pattern appears simple. From the road it is quite the opposite.
Both Bicentennial Parkway and Via Inspirada are divided highways. However, as you approach the double roundabout, the medians of Via Inspirada become much wider. For those unfamiliar with the area, the extension creates the impression that both sides of the road are multidirectional rather than unidirectional. I can see how drivers can mistakenly turn into oncoming traffic.
A city spokesperson said the roundabout made sense at the time. This, of course, was a time before the Raiders, before Costco, before KB Home, Lennar and Pulte built every piece of empty desert they could buy. And now Station Casinos is moving.
Due to increased traffic (and accidents), Henderson will eliminate the figure-eight design and replace it with Las Vegas-style traffic signs. The planned road project is expected to cost up to $8.2 million and will also add new road markings, pavement, sidewalks, trails and LED lighting.
Removal is scheduled to begin in November. But before that, residents and visitors alike can expect to see the super bloom of another local icon: the Nevada state flower, also known as the orange traffic cone.
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