SILVER SPRINGS ROUNDABOUT OPEN

Lowell Peterson finds Cape Girardeau's new roundabout to be more humorous than functional, which is one reason he prefers it to an intersection.

"Are you kidding?" he said. "The entertainment value of this alone is definitely worth doing one of these."

Peterson, president of Firstar Bank at 3060 William St., said Silver Springs Road is a popular thoroughfare for the bank's couriers, customers and employees.

They are glad the road is driveable again and that barricades have been removed from the roundabout, he said.

"That's the normal back road that saves us all time," he said. "This is actually the result of an answer to prayers that that thing finally re-opened."

Barricades removed

Roundabout construction began in May, and workers removed barricades from it Tuesday. The south side of the roundabout remains blocked off until contractors install new traffic signals and pour concrete at Silver Springs Road and William Street.

The city plans to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the roundabout once the project is completed.

Monday, drivers had little difficulty maneuvering the roundabout, driving through it at about 10 mph. Black and white one-way signs directed drivers counter-clockwise through the structure.

Leroy Green of Dexter, Mo., drove through it Monday morning on his way to St. Francis Medical Center.

He said he had no problems but suspects the curves may be tricky for larger vehicles.

"It's too tight of a circle," Green said. "Cars'll be all right, but I think big trucks will have a problem. I didn't know if it was a beautification thing or meant to slow people down or what."

The roundabout has one paved lane on the outer edge for typical car and small truck traffic. It also has a slightly elevated brick lane on the inner edge that is designed to keep regular traffic to one lane and allow tractor-trailer trucks and large automobiles additional room to maneuver.

Meanwhile, Peterson said he doesn't watch from the bank as motorists drive through the roundabout.

"Once I got out of there, I got as far away as I could," he said and laughed. "I think my tires are scuffed on one side from trying to get out of the thing."