Business Owners, Handicap Against Military Avenue Roundabouts

WGBA-TV NBC 26 - Green Bay, Wisconsin

February 17, 2009

Green Bay City Council debated whether to reconsider the Military Avenue roundabout well into the night. The City Council chambers were packed with many residents against the plan. Tracy Crawford, owner of Tracy's Groceries on Military Avenue, came armed to the meeting with a petition that had more than 5,000 signatures. "We are afraid people won't want to drive on Military Avenue and will avoid the area," said Crawford.

A disability rights attorney from Michigan also made the trip for the meeting. Attorney Richard Bernstein believes the roundabout pose a major hazard for blind people, and those with disabilities. In fact, he believes they violate the American's with Disabilities Act. "It is impossible for a blind person to navigate a roundabout, I want people to picture if they would a roundabout where the traffic never stops," said Bernstein. He recently sued a county in Michigan, for a similar situation.

Proponents of the roundabout believe they reduce injury involved traffic accidents. Green Bay Alderman Tony Theisen says they are very practical and will also reduce spending. The City Council considered three options: the roundabouts, traffic lights, or status quo. The traffic lights did prove a more expensive option.