Roundabout project stirs up mixed reactions from Hollister commuters

The designs for a roundabout project at Highway 25 and 156 near Hollister is leaving commuters with mixed reactions. Many are questioning if it’ll even work as intended.

Caltrans is citing safety concerns as the primary reason for putting this roundabout design together.

It’s a heavy-traffic area that leads to Gilroy, Los Banos, Hollister and even through San Juan Bautista to Monterey County.

“They need to do something with the 25 to keep it moving,” says San Benito County commuter, Angelina Ruiz.

Other commuters say the roundabout option either will do very little or not much at all to help with either traffic congestion or improving safety.

Right now a traffic signal is in place at Hwy 156 and 25, but the roundabout design would replace it.

Traffic can get backed up for miles, part of which has to do with the growing population in the San Benito County community.

“The commute is getting worse because there’s so many people up here,” says Ruiz. “They need to do something with ’25’ to keep it moving. Especially during the commute.”

Caltrans says in the last ten years there have been 126 motor vehicle accidents at that intersection. The state average is about 0.58. Hwy 25/156 is at 1.01.

Caltrans says converting to a roundabout instead of a traffic signal could reduce traffic collisions by 48%

18-Wheelers are also a concern residents have in regards to any roundabout being placed at the intersection.

Truck aprons will be implemented on this new roundabout, which Caltrans says should help accommodate some of the heavy trucks that roll through the intersection throughout the day.

Right now the project’s completion date is set for Winter 2021.