Good news for anti-roundabouters: the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will provide analysis on the High and Oak streets and Griffin Boulevard intersection in order to give the Town of Farmville an idea of traffic patterns and pedestrian traffic.

This decision followed a discussion between council members, Town Manager Gerald Spates, representatives from Longwood University and a VDOT representative.

At one point during the conversation, VDOT Lynchburg District Traffic Engineer Gerry Harter pointed out that the amount of accidents at the intersection has been relatively few.

“If you don’t have a crash issue now, you always run the risk that anything you do differently may pose an issue,” Harter said during the meeting.

Spates said, “If it’s not broke, why fix it?”

Perhaps because it’s what the majority of people in Farmville want.

Out of the three alternatives, the roundabout ranked best in public comments in favor, level of service/operation, life-cycle cost and vehicular safety, according to the engineering firm that recommended constructing a roundabout at the intersection.

As we’ve previously reported, the roundabout has been highly favored by nearly all who’ve submitted formal comments on the project to the firm and by those who’ve attended the two community meetings held by town leaders.

We maintain that the roundabout is the right move. The council should listen to what the people want. Make the intersection’s solution an example of a democracy for the people.