Oregon Department of Transportation, in partnership with the City of Molalla, needed to improve safety at an intersection on Toliver Road that suffered 38 crashes between 2007 and the end of 2016, with 83% of them injury crashes. Designed for agricultural trucks, tractors, fire engines, and school buses, the $7.8 million roundabout at Toliver Road has improved travel safety and slowed rural high-speed traffic entering town. The intersection serves highway traffic – including freight and agricultural vehicles – as well as growing residential traffic and a school bus depot. Before construction began, Toliver Road was regulated by a stop sign; causing travelers, including school buses, to endure significant delays when accessing Oregon Route 213. Now, the new roundabout improves both safety and efficient access to OR 213, with Toliver Road traffic no longer experiencing long waits or life-threatening close calls. The roundabout project also added sidewalks, crosswalks, and lighting to improve safety and comfort for bikes and pedestrians. Local businesses, residents, and commercial trucks now navigate the intersection more safely and efficiently, reducing wait times on Toliver Road. This boosts travel time reliability and enhances fuel efficiency by minimizing idle time. Moreover, roundabouts can cut fatalities by up to 90% and crashes by 35%.
America's Transportation Awards 