@wsdot
Instagram · Faceless
@wsdot YOU CAN’T SPELL ROUNDABOUTS WITHOUT U-S-A. As we celebrate the birth of our nation, remember that circular intersections/traffic circles have been part of our national identity since the first blueprint for Washington D.C. in 1791. The first-ever traffic circle for automobiles? Columbus Circle in New York City. RAAAAH! 🦅 Those looked pretty different than what we have now, but the circle has always been at the core. Modern roundabouts with improved designs made their way back to the states in the 20th century, and our records show that WSDOT started building roundabouts in 1997. If you live near the Pierce and Thurston county lines, you’ll see three new patriotic circles this summer on SR 510, SR 507 and SR 702. We have many more on the horizon over the next few years. We know there’s always a bit of a learning curve to anyone encountering a roundabout for the first time, but it’s simple! Just slow down, yield to pedestrians, yield to traffic inside the circle to your left, and use your blinker to signal your exit when leaving the roundabout. If you search “WSDOT roundabouts” on YouTube, you’ll find a helpful tutorial! The next time you’re in a roundabout, just think of it as a little celebration of our nation’s history. Happy Fourth of July, and happy 250th birthday, America! 🇺🇸
