By Cesar A., Reporter
Thiells, NY – North Rockland’s hottest new attraction isn’t a trendy restaurant or a scenic park—it’s the Thiells Turnabout.
Since its debut, this asphalt anomaly has sparked a wave of commentary, praise, and bewilderment from drivers, neighbors, and North Rockland Community members alike.
With its sleek, circular design and promises of smoother traffic flow by scientists who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals – the turnabout has been dubbed everything from “the 24th wonder of the world” to “a roulette wheel for Teslas.” And while officials tout its benefits, the people of North Rockland have taken to Facebook’s North Rockland Community page to share their thoughts, ranging from genuine admiration to genuinely not caring
A Circle of Joy, Frustration, and Pi
Six weeks into operation, the turnabout is technically functional, but its rollout hasn’t been without its bumps. Thiells-Mount Ivy Road remains closed for further construction, sending commuters on detours and sparking colorful social media commentary.
Among the Facebook chatter, some commenters emerged as local philosophers on traffic infrastructure, while others went full stand-up comedian. Here are some gems:
- “The roundabout is an architectural wonder,” wrote Tom O’Grady. “When the new passage opens in the spring, it will be the climatic finish to a long and grueling project. Perhaps the interior could be decorated with flowers and a coffee bar.”
- “It’s like starring in an action movie: Mission Impossible—Yield or Die,” joked another commenter.
- “I went in, and three hours later, I’m still spinning,” said one, proving humor thrives in disorientation.
- On a more nostalgic note, Rochelle Bosico-Peterson lamented, “I miss the Mt. Ivy Pub.” Peter Duffy chimed in: “Let’s put some nice landscaping in the middle, though.”
- One local noted their favorite turnabout quirk: “If I’m alone at night, sometimes I circle it a few times for fun,” proving that entertainment can be found anywhere if you’re creative enough.
Critics Weigh In
Not everyone is thrilled. Complaints about the project’s cost, timing, and necessity dominated a large portion of the discussion.
- “The intersection worked fine before. Just fix the traffic lights!” was a common refrain. Kerry Pfeister noted, “All they needed was better light timing and a left-turn lane.”
- Others took aim at the local driving habits. “Roundabouts work everywhere else in the world—except here,” quipped Christopher Lloyd. “Because people don’t know how to use them.”
- Safety concerns also cropped up. Debbie Petix recounted nearly being hit by a speeding car, sparking a flurry of agreement: “People need to be reminded how to yield in a circle,” one user wrote.
The Verdict: A Traffic Trial Run
While some North Rocklanders herald the turnabout as the traffic savior they didn’t know they needed, others are less convinced. For now, its true test lies ahead, when Thiells-Mount Ivy Road reopens in spring 2025.
Until then, the Thiells Turnabout stands as a monument to the eternal human struggle: adapting to change. Whether it becomes a beloved fixture or a cautionary tale of urban planning gone awry, one thing is certain—North Rockland will be talking about it for years to come.
In the meantime, maybe someone will photoshop some flowers in the middle of cone of these images. Oh, and and a coffee bar.
