SAN ANTONIO – Drivers can now cruise through a $6 million roundabout open in downtown San Antonio to curb traffic and the number of crashes.
The design was engineered to keep traffic moving. The roundabout is at Main, Navarro and San Pedro and is designed to allow drivers to access downtown from the north near the Central Library.
While the roundabout is open there is still construction underway. Once it is completed San Pedro will re-open to two-way traffic northbound and southbound.
Project leaders said the roundabout concept is new to most San Antonio drivers, but they should be pleased.
"San Antonions [driving] and [commuting] downtown have never had to deal with this before, so we want to make sure we have the information out there so they'll know how to navigate them and that they actually enjoy them because they can be very good for traffic," said Paul Berry, City of San Antonio chief communications officer.
Pedestrian crossings will be clearly marked and have been widened to share with bicyclists.
Construction will continue into July. The roundabout will eventually allow traffic to flow through five streets without stop signs or traffic lights.
How to drive in a roundabout
- At the dashed yield line, look to your left and yield to drivers already in the roundabout. Remember, in a multi-lane roundabout, you must yield to both lanes of traffic.
- Once a gap in traffic appears, merge into the roundabout and proceed to your exit.
- Look for pedestrians and use your turn signal before you exit.