Editor,

Washington State Department of Transportation has not put traffic counters on State Highway 20, Banta or other roads. How can WSDOT design any road configurations with accuracy without counts and types of vehicles using our roads? There is a 15-20 car backup on Banta Road, not five-car, as WSDOT stated. WSDOT has no clue as to the large number of big rigs or types and widths using the highway all day, every day.

If they refuse to install demand lights at Troxell and Banta roads, which are already set up for them, then leave things as they are.

I am not against roundabouts in the right area and of a logical design. A WSDOT representative admitted if the Sharpe’s Corner roundabout doesn’t work, they are prepared to put an overpass/flyover over it.

Sharpe’s Corner needs an overpass from west to east, with lanes under going toward Whidbey. One minimum wait light would suffice for these lanes. Anacortes traffic would continue at 55 mph uninterrupted toward the valley. With the proposed roundabout, all Anacortes traffic would be slowed to 15 mph 24/7. Picture the backups with all the large rigs using it. Why not do it right in the first place?

I was told that older folks are afraid of roundabouts. Perhaps folks of all ages are, but the majority are against them because we are wiser, more observant and know our island better than WSDOT. I’m fed up with WSDOT trying to shove down our throats its obsession with roundabouts. Don’t sit idle and let this happen. Bombard your elected representatives and WSDOT to stop this ludicrous project. Our safety and lives depend on it.

Marci Buskala

Oak Harbor