Roundabout for Light Rail Is One of First in the U.S.
Roundabout for Light Rail Is One of First in the U.S.
In late May, the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority of the Phoenix metropolitan area opened a $1.9-million extension to the area’s light rail transit line. The new line extends service along Main Street from Mesa Drive to Gilbert Road in downtown Mesa. The project created the second roundabout in the U.S. to be incorporated into a light rail system at East Main Street and South Horne, says the construction manager, a joint venture of WSP USA and PGH Wong. A joint venture between Stacy & Witbeck and Sundt is the contractor. As a train approaches the roundabout, crossing gates with flashing lights and bells will come down to block vehicles in the left lane of the roundabout. Drivers wishing to cross the light rail tracks queue in the lane. Vehicles traveling east or westbound on Main Street can continue their travel while the train is crossing through the intersection.