Othello traffic circles influenced traffic flows, study finds

OTHELLO — Traffic circles installed at intersections in a number of Othello neighborhoods apparently have slowed down drivers in those neighborhoods. City Engineer Shawn O’Brien talked about some of the results from a year-long test project at the Othello City Council meeting Monday. “We’re trying to accomplish three things: lower speeds, trying to reduce the amount of traffic coming through those residential areas and get them onto our collector streets, and reduce accidents,” O’Brien said. The traffic circles – actually shaped like diamonds – were installed in fall 2021 in 20 intersections in the test area, between East Ash and Main streets, from South Seventh to South 14th avenues.