Proposed Hwy. 227 roundabouts would be safer, save gas and preserve farmland

The two proposed roundabouts and improvements on Highway 227 between Farmhouse Lane and Biddle Ranch Road are needed now more than ever. Dramatic world-shaking events — like the steep gas prices we are all experiencing due to the Russian-Ukraine war and the increasing rainforest collapse — are related to decisions we make about transportation. Roundabouts, which are gaining in popularity nationwide, are safer, improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gases.

For years transportation planners have considered solutions to the ever-worsening traffic conditions on Highway 227. The alternative to the roundabout improvements is to widen this state route to five lanes, with the negative effects of taking more land, degrading the rural character of Edna Valley, encouraging higher speeds during non-peak hours, polluting our air and making Highway 227 look more like Highway 46 East. Traffic light backups will still snarl daily commuter traffic and extend commute times for those trying to get home.

Despite some local resistance, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) passed a significant hurdle to get these proposed projects funded, when their board approved it in a 9-2 vote. However, even with funding assured, this county-led improvement package faces a daunting hurdle at the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 5.

Supervisors Lynn Compton and Debbie Arnold were the two “no” votes at SLOCOG’s meeting, while Supervisor John Peschong recused himself. Without one of them voting for it, it will fail. We need to show these supervisors how important and urgent this is for our communities.

Here is a recap on why this project is important:

• It will reduce greenhouse gases.
• Highway 227 traffic will worsen in the next three years as more development occurs and more people commute on the route. New large housing developments like Avila Ranch will lead to even more backups at these intersections, worsening traffic for residents, visitors and commuters from Arroyo Grande, Pismo Beach and beyond.
• It will improve safety for commuters, locals and Los Ranchos Elementary schoolchildren. Roundabouts greatly reduce injury accidents.
• It includes a separated bike path with safe bike/pedestrian intersection crossings.
• It will preserve the Edna Valley’s rural character and farmland, which would be forever degraded by a five-lane highway.
• The proposed projects are far less expensive to build and maintain than a five-lane highway, in addition to being much safer.

As a society, we sometimes need to give up our status quo solutions and embrace new ones. Don’t let this project wither on the vine because enough of us did not speak up.

If you favor the proposed roundabouts and improvements, please sign the petition at change.org/yesroundabout.

If you would like to take it a step further, you can share your comment verbally at the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 5, or email your public comment to Boardofsups@co.slo.ca.us by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 4 (include “227-Los Ranchos Rd”). Details are posted online on the county website at https://bit.ly/3q34rgl

Jackie Parker is a San Luis Obispo resident.