TUCSON, Ariz. — Oro Valley's second roundabout has been open since late November at La Canada Boulevard and Moore Road. How does it work? The answer is anyone entering it has to yield to anyone who's already traveling in it.
Very popular in Europe and starting to catch on in the U.S., roundabouts are scattered about in Pima County. The only one located near an Interstate here is south of Green Valley, at the Canoa Exit.
Oro Valley's newest has a speed hump, to slow travelers down as they approach and get ready to enter. Roundabouts are usually not banked, meaning higher elevation on the outside lanes than on the inside lanes. The speed hump reduces the chance for vehicles to inadvertantly "slide" from the inside to outside lane.
Oro Valley's other prominent roundabout has been in service for several years, at Northern and Hardy. Tucson residents have traveled on many smaller roundabouts, but all are located on neighborhood residential streets.
