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The roundabout, located in Dutchess County, in the town of Wappinger, has been completed as part of a $5.8 million project that modernized the intersection of Route 376 with New Hackensack Road and All Angels Hill Road, according to the state Department of Transportation.
The project, which was completed on budget and six months ahead of schedule, created a one-lane roundabout that eased traffic flow and enhanced safety at a busy intersection used by residents and commuters to access the Hudson Valley Regional Airport and other popular destinations in the area, according to DOT Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez.
“This project has eased congestion and improved mobility at a key intersection in Dutchess County and is already making travel easier for the residents and commuters who pass through this busy corridor each day," Dominguez said.
The project, which broke ground in December 2021, also created a new pocket park adjacent to the sidewalk on the north side of the roundabout that features benches and perennial landscaping.
The center of the roundabout and other parts of the project area were re-landscaped with 52 native tree plantings, 112 shrubs, and 112 plants, DOT said.
New pedestrian crosswalks were added to enhance safety and colored and imprinted concrete was used in the sidewalk buffer strips and roundabout truck apron to increase visibility and driver awareness.
Roundabouts are engineered to maximize safety and minimize congestion. Compared to traditional intersections, traffic flows more freely through roundabouts, cutting congestion and commute times, Dominguez added.
Crashes at roundabouts tend to be less severe because they typically occur at slower speeds. Roundabouts eliminate the need for electric-powered traffic signals. They also contribute to aesthetically pleasing landscapes, DOT said.
The one issue is teaching drivers how to use a roundabout. Of course, signage at the site provides arrows and directions, but for a more detailed lesson on using a roundabout, click here.
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