My wife and I just returned from a drive. We decided to see how the Rawlins Cross roundabout was laid out and appraise its functioning.
One word: awful.
There are delays from Rennies Mill Road through the intersection onto Monkstown Road to get through the intersection of Military Road down to Prescott Street. The reason for the delays: no light to slow down the traffic turning right from Military Road onto Monkstown Road and from the Cross through that intersection onto Monkstown Road across Military Road. If the explanation sounds confusing, the actuality is worse.
Then, going down Prescott Street, I noticed that going up Prescott Street to enter the Cross, traffic is now supposed to yield! Imagine having to yield during a winter storm. My God, where is the thought process in making that decision?
The way the Cross used to work, traffic coming up Prescott Street had the right-of-way and all other traffic had to yield to them. That makes perfect sense since that is one steep hill for cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles to climb. During the winter when it’s slippery, having to slow down can be a problem getting over the hump at the top of the hill.
Carol and I agree with former mayor Shannie Duff: leave that intersection, as difficult as it is, alone. Remember the adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Carol and John Reade
St. John’s
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