Roundabouts open on Imjin Parkway, entering a new phase for the two-year-long project.

Erik Chalhoub here, reminded of one of my favorite movie scenes. In National Lampoon’s European Vacation, Clark Griswold (Chevy Chase) drives his family into a roundabout while exploring England. Yet, he doesn’t know how to exit the roundabout, spending the whole day and night going in circles.

Hilarity ensues, because it’s something that we as Americans can relate to. Roundabouts are common in Europe, yet here in the U.S., they are much less so—costs and drivers’ resistance being among the top reasons.

With the exception of the “turbo roundabout” at highways 156 and 25 near Hollister, I find roundabouts easy to navigate. That was still the case when I drove through the four new roundabouts on Imjin Parkway in Marina for the first time today, four days after they opened on Friday, Aug. 22.

The $40.5 million Imjin Parkway project, funded by Measure X and Senate Bill 1, is widening a 1.7-mile segment from Imjin to Reservation roads from two to four lanes. In addition to the four roundabouts, buffered bike lanes, pedestrian upgrades, retaining walls and more are part of the project.

It may have seemed like a slow year-and-a-half for commuters since construction began in earnest in February 2024, but things are progressing faster than expected. An Aug. 18 update from the City of Marina stated that the project is ahead of schedule and could beat its anticipated June 2026 completion deadline. Yet with fall and winter weather approaching, that could all change.

Today I saw workers installing landscaping, a surefire sign that things are beginning to wrap up. It’s currently a single lane through the roundabouts, which will expand to two in each direction once complete.

Imjin Parkway is one of the few thoroughfares that connects Salinas to the Monterey Peninsula, and with many from Monterey County’s largest city commuting to the coast for work, the infrastructure needs to keep up.

It’s a tale of two different approaches for the Salinas-Peninsula commuter corridors. The Transportation Agency for Monterey County will test adaptive AI on nine traffic signals along Highway 68, possibly forgoing the long-discussed roundabouts for the highway. Meanwhile, the City of Marina is all-in on roundabouts for Imjin. Will either be successful in easing congestion? Time will tell.

More roundabouts are on the way throughout Monterey County, so it’s never a bad time to brush up on the rules of the road. Construction is ongoing at the intersection of Laureles Grade and Carmel Valley Road, while planning is underway for a roundabout at the intersection of San Miguel Canyon Road and Castroville Boulevard in Prunedale.

Have you driven through the new roundabouts on Imjin Parkway? Was it smooth sailing, or did you share the plight of Clark Griswold? Let me know your thoughts.