The Stanislaus County Public Works Department is looking at ways to alleviate traffic at the intersection of Golf Road and Golden State Boulevard in south Turlock. The intersection is currently a web of stop signs where Golden State Boulevard, Golf Road, Frontage Road, Paulson Road, and South Berkeley Avenue all meet and form several four-way stops.
One proposed solution to deal with the daily traffic congestion is to install a roundabout at the intersection.
“A roundabout would allow a constant flow of traffic at that intersection,” said David Leamon, senior civil engineer for Stanislaus County.
The Golf Road/ South Golden State Boulevard intersection is further complicated by Union Pacific Railroad lines that run parallel to Golden State. Golf Road crosses the tracks before it reaches Paulson Road. Sections of the roundabout would be shut down with gates when trains passed through the intersection. Leamon said that the county would have to coordinate with the railroad and other agencies that regulate railroad crossings.
“This is a complicated intersection. There’s a lot of pieces to it,” Leamon said.
Although there are periodically accidents at the intersection, the California Highway Patrol does not consider it particularly accident prone.
“When they do roundabouts it’s traditionally to expedite traffic, not to prevent accidents,” said Officer John Martinez, a spokesperson for the Modesto area CHP.
Although the roundabout would not be a permanent solution to traffic on South Golden State, Leamon considers it a cost effective measure. He said that roundabouts have a 10 to 20 year design life, and they do eventually break down. Another alternative to a roundabout is to widen the road and install stoplights in a design comparable to the Monte Vista and Golden State intersection.
“We have the money to study it and see what we can do there,” Leamon said.
Stanislaus County Public Works Department would also need to coordinate with the City of Turlock on any project because Golf Road and South Golden State are in Turlock’s sphere of influence.
At a Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 4, Turlock City Engineer Mike Pitcock voiced concerns over the proposed roundabout. While any improvement would be welcome, the city would prefer a long term solution. Turlock has future plans to grow south and annex the area of the intersection.
To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.
One proposed solution to deal with the daily traffic congestion is to install a roundabout at the intersection.
“A roundabout would allow a constant flow of traffic at that intersection,” said David Leamon, senior civil engineer for Stanislaus County.
The Golf Road/ South Golden State Boulevard intersection is further complicated by Union Pacific Railroad lines that run parallel to Golden State. Golf Road crosses the tracks before it reaches Paulson Road. Sections of the roundabout would be shut down with gates when trains passed through the intersection. Leamon said that the county would have to coordinate with the railroad and other agencies that regulate railroad crossings.
“This is a complicated intersection. There’s a lot of pieces to it,” Leamon said.
Although there are periodically accidents at the intersection, the California Highway Patrol does not consider it particularly accident prone.
“When they do roundabouts it’s traditionally to expedite traffic, not to prevent accidents,” said Officer John Martinez, a spokesperson for the Modesto area CHP.
Although the roundabout would not be a permanent solution to traffic on South Golden State, Leamon considers it a cost effective measure. He said that roundabouts have a 10 to 20 year design life, and they do eventually break down. Another alternative to a roundabout is to widen the road and install stoplights in a design comparable to the Monte Vista and Golden State intersection.
“We have the money to study it and see what we can do there,” Leamon said.
Stanislaus County Public Works Department would also need to coordinate with the City of Turlock on any project because Golf Road and South Golden State are in Turlock’s sphere of influence.
At a Planning Commission meeting on Feb. 4, Turlock City Engineer Mike Pitcock voiced concerns over the proposed roundabout. While any improvement would be welcome, the city would prefer a long term solution. Turlock has future plans to grow south and annex the area of the intersection.
To contact Andrea Goodwin, e-mail agoodwin@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2003.
