The Copper Cove/Little John Roundabout looking north
After years of traffic studies and analysis the final planning is underway for the construction of a new round-about for the intersection of Copper Cove Drive and Little John Road that will enhance public safety. This week surveyors will start the initial work on the project which should be completed early next year. The intersection was originally intended just for the the two roads but when Little John Road was extended to Highway 4 the traffic count increased.
Local residents complain of a blind spot to the north when turning left onto Little John Road from Copper Cove Drive. Numerous residents have told the association management of being nearly hit by a car coming down the hill south on Little John at excessive speed. The roundabout is being funded by Castle and Cooke not by taxpayers or CCA members. The round-about will become a great landmark for the Copper Cove Association with center of the project including a low masonry wall with the the words Copper Cove on each side. The Association Board has worked closely with Calaveras County Supervisor Dennis Mills, the County Planning Department, Castle and Cooke and Mid Valley Engineering which is handling planning. Jack Cox, CCA Director, was assigned the responsibility to represent the Association in meetings on the project with the county.
Making Our Community Safer
“Our goal is to continue to beautify and make our community even more attractive which is of great benefit to all of us living here.” declared Ryan Oatts, President of the Copper Cove Association. “This project will make our community safer by slowing traffic but in no way impeding it.”
The new round-about also creates a second entrance for Saddle Creek which will result in less traffic on Little John traveling south to the current entrance. A second entrance for Saddle Creek is important to enhance public safety particularly in the case of an emergency. The roundabout design was developed using a planning guide developed by the United States Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration. The design will easily handle our traffic. The design LSC Transportation Consultants estimated that peak hour volume would be 2,384 vehicles which, of course, dramatically exceeds our needs so it will not impede driving in our community. It just makes it safer.
Attached are two artists renderings which will provide residents an idea of what it will look like. The final landscaping will probably differ. The roundabout will include a small alignment change of Copper Cove Drive just east of Little John.
For the record, the construction will take place on land in the our HOA owned by Castle Cooke. They will continue to pay the dues to the association of each lot being developed from the project so the association looses no revenue and gains a new asset for our members.
Aerial Rendering of Round-about. It is engineered to handle large trucks and trailers.