KTBS 3 News | Shreveport, LA: ArkLaTex News - Future of Gilbert traffic circle uncertain

Posted: Nov 4, 2009 10:28 AM
Updated: Nov 4, 2009 10:32 AM

The crumbled pavers in the traffic circle at the bottom of the hill on Shreveport's Gilbert Drive are still there as city officials decide whether to repair the circle, change it or remove it.

Last week, someone crashed into the traffic circle, causing the heavy damage.

This isn't the first time the circle has been damaged. Before the pavers were installed, someone repeatedly drove through the mud in the circle, leaving deep tire tracks. The incidents have led the head of the city's public works department to seek a meeting with the city councilman who wanted it installed. They're going to discuss options.

The circle sits near the bottom of Gilbert's "thrill hill" and was installed this fall in an effort to cut down on speeding. Councilman Michael Long, responding to constituent complaints about speeding, had asked the city to do something.

The circle has infuriated a lot of people -- although Mike Strong, director of the Department of Operational Services, said it has served its intended purpose by slowing motorists down.

Nonetheless, Strong said, he will talk to the councilman about the situation.

Strong says until he meets with Long and City Engineer Ron Norwood, he's not sure what will happen to the circle. Strong says a decision will probably be made this week or next.

When asked if the traffic circle will be repaired to its original design, Strong said, "Not sure." When asked if there's any chance it will go away, Strong said, "Not sure of that, either."

High + − !

Joe O. at Nov 4th 2009 10:39 AM

Obviously it has to go! The Facebook group "Put the Thrill Back in Thrill Hill" has grown to over 500 members. Please join and show your support.

Sharon Womack at Nov 4th 2009 11:03 AM

I have lived in Shreveport all of my life (61 years) and also lived on Gilbert Dr. until the flood of "99 drove my away. Individuals are going to speed up and down the hills regardless of the "brick circle" at the bottom. Drivers that drive down the hill at night or have not been down that way in a while may not know it is there. Why can't you try something like speed bumps which may be unrealistic but at least it will only hurt the car and not the driver and give them the opportunity to slow down in the future. Please let's don't wait until somewone gets killed which will inevitably happen if this "circle jerk" isn't removed.

FacePalm at Nov 4th 2009 6:59 PM

I can't decide which possibility is funnier: that you don't know what,"circle jerk," really means, and have unknowingly made a risqu� non-sequitur; or that you do know what it means, and you've made a clever pun.

Neutral + − !

Kelley at Nov 4th 2009 11:25 AM

This has been the biggest waste of tax payer money since Hazel's Foley! Bigger probably, since the lights on the bridge do have some asthetic qualities. This thing is just going to end up killing someone, and is plain ugly!

SCL at Nov 4th 2009 3:06 PM

It goes full circle:

http://www.ktbs.com/news/city-more-traffic-circles-possible-in-shreveport/

Hey, I've got an idea....how about moving the permanent police car from Norton's Art Gallery to the bottom of the hill...and better yet...put a live policeman in it with radar!