Changes to the roundabout at the Outlets at Legends are finally complete after months of construction.
City of Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson says, "We've made a lot of improvements, and this is a critical fix for us in Sparks."
After two and a half months and $3 million, the City of Sparks and the RTC have finally completed the much-needed upgrade.
Anthony Pena, a shopper, says "It's definitely making thing more efficient. People are getting through it faster, and it isn't too confusing for people to use."
A lot of drivers say one of the biggest issues with the previous roundabout was the lanes.
Dale Keller, RTC's deputy executive director, says, "We've heard from anybody that's traveled in this area over and over again 'I don't know which lane to be in. I don't know where to be on Sparks Boulevard, and then to Lincoln, and through the roundabout'."
Keller says they used drone video to examine the roundabout and determine what changes needed to be made. They repainted the lanes with clear labels and added more signs, so drivers knew which lane to pick ahead of time.
"That was the goal of this project, so you know where you're going sooner and quicker so you can get through this roundabout more efficiently," said Keller.
Mayor Lawson adds, "It's just so well marked right now, it's speeding up traffic. I think it's going to make a big difference keeping a lot of traffic off of Sparks Boulevard."
And so far, many other drivers agree.
Grisel Melendez, a shopper, says, "It's definitely more, in my opinion, easier to understand. The signs are all on the road, so everything makes a little bit more sense, and the pavement, very smooth."
Emmanuel Martinez, a UPS driver who frequently has to drive through, says, "It looks nice, I want to say. If they can't see the direction to go, they have the white lines to literally show you which lanes we're actually in instead of veering into the other lane which was a problem."
Not only are the changes meant to be more effective for drivers but also safer for pedestrians.
"We're adding these reflective hybrid beacons so that when you press it, it will light up to indicate when there's a pedestrian waiting to cross, giving those motorists more time and opportunity to see those pedestrians cross," Keller explains.
The beacons are expected to be put in within the next few months. Until then, be sure to keep a sharp eye out for shoppers now that it's more pedestrian-friendly.
