WOODBURY, MN (WNN) – The city of Woodbury has many, many Roundabouts (actually 26) and navigating them can be torturous, hazardous or just a breeze. The seamless flow of a roundabout depends on all drivers following the rules and etiquette when using the roundabout. Time of day is also important. It’s a different scenario during peak traffic hours when there is a greater influx of cars from one or two sides.
The primary premise of a roundabout is to continue moving. To do that, drivers should approach it slowly, with an ideal speed between 15-20 mph and stay in their lane and signal left or right if they are going to turn.
The vehicle in the roundabout has the right of way. Be vigilant of the cars coming into the roundabout then carefully insert your vehicle when there is an opening.
This can be difficult during peak hours. After the intersection of Valley Creek Road and Woodbury Drive, a signal light, the speed limit is 50 mph. The next roundabout is a quarter mile away at the intersection of Woodbury Drive and Lake Road. Just before the roundabout there are cautionary signs stating that the vehicle speed should not be above 15 mph, but hardly any drivers heed it. All drivers just want to continue to smoothly and simply whiz through the roundabout. At peak hour, if there is a green light on Woodbury Drive, there is a single lane 10-12 car backup on either end of the roundabout at Lake Road. This is because the cars moving along Woodbury Drive are going at 30 mph if they plan to go straight after the roundabout and there is no way for a car to enter safely from either side of Lake Road.
Many people I have talked with say that the worst thing at a roundabout is one driver stopping just before entering the roundabout and that can lead to a long line of stopped vehicles within seconds.
Jason Egerstrom, Senior Community Relations Coordinator, City of Woodbury, said that the county is shortly planning to add roundabouts at Bailey Road/Settlers Ridge Parkway (likely in 2026) and at Radio Drive/Dale Road (2027).
MnDOT is also planning to add a future roundabout at Manning Avenue/Bailey Road (2026).
A list of city of Woodbury roundabouts
- Hudson Rd/Spring Hill Dr
- Settlers Ridge Pkwy/Lake Rd
- Pioneer Dr/Lake Rd
- Pioneer Dr/ Interlachen Pkwy
- Pioneer Dr/ Red & Green Fields Parking Lots
- Pioneer Dr/Hargis Pkwy
- Pioneer Dr/ Plymouth Rd
- Pioneer Dr/ Bailey Lake Rd
- Pioneer Dr/Dale Rd
- Hargis Pkwy/ ERHS East Entrance
- Hargis Pkwy/ ERHS West Entrance
- Hargis Pkwy/ Black Fields Lot
- Hargis Pkwy/ M Health Fairview Sports Center Lot
- Hargis Pkwy/ Benjamin Dr
- Bailey Lake Rd/ Chestnut Dr
- Bailey Lake Rd/ Copper Ridge Dr
List of Roundabouts in Woodbury – courtesy City of Woodbury, Engineering Dept. and Jason Egerstrom, Senior Community Relations Coordinator
A list of Washington County roundabouts in Woodbury
- Radio Drive/Bailey Road
- Woodbury Drive/Lake
- Woodbury Drive/Bailey
- Radio Drive/Military Road
- Bailey Road/Woodlane Drive
- Woodbury Drive/Dale
Courtesy: Joe Gustafson, Washington County
Navigating a roundabout
What drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists need to know.
Drivers
- Slow down when approaching a roundabout. For multi-lane roundabouts, as with any intersection, get into the appropriate lane.
- Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. It is the law.
- Yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. Merge into the traffic flow when it is safe.
- Continue through the roundabout until you reach your exit. Do not stop or pass in a roundabout.
- Exit the roundabout immediately if an emergency vehicle approaches, and then pull over. Do not stop in the roundabout.
- Yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk when exiting the roundabout.
- Give large trucks extra space in a roundabout. Large trucks may straddle both lanes while driving through a multi-lane roundabout.
Pedestrians
- Cross only at crosswalks, and always stay on the designated walkways.
- Never cross to the central island.
- Cross the roundabout one approach at a time. Use the median island as a halfway point where you can check for approaching traffic.
Bicyclists
- Ride with traffic inside the roundabout or use the crosswalks appropriately.
- Follow the same rules as vehicles when riding with traffic and yield when entering the roundabout. Since traffic is slower inside the roundabout, cyclists should be able to travel at or near the same speed as motorists, staying in line with the circulating traffic
Source: Minnesota Department of Transportation
Another good source for the correct way to navigate roundabouts:
