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Thanks to a reader’s concern, drivers will no longer have an excuse for ignoring proper use of driving lanes near a west-side shopping district.
Q. When heading south on Thomas Road, south of Bass Road, there are two right-turn lanes into the shopping center. There are always drivers who immediately get into that right lane, only to continue driving straight through to eventually turn right on Illinois Road. Why not add a couple of straight arrows to the pavement at these two entrances and make the lane an either-or lane? – Jim Brenock, Fort Wayne
A. People using lanes as they see fit, instead of how they are designated, can lead to dangerous situations, and the city thanks you for bringing this to its attention. Even better, changes will be made to improve the safety in the area.
Shan Gunawardena, city traffic engineer, said the north drive into Gateway Crossing will be converted into a right-turn and through-lane by eliminating the word “only” on the sign and adding a straight arrow on the pavement.
This change will allow drivers to continue through to the south drive into the shopping complex, at the signalized intersection across from the entrance to Lowe’s. The lane will still be only for vehicles turning right at that intersection.
Gunawardena said the city will install a right-turn-only sign overhead on the traffic signal wires and a second sign on the side of the road reading “Right Lane Must Turn Right.” The changes will be made as time permits, Gunawardena said.
This should clear up how drivers should use the lane, thanks for pointing out the problem.
Lanes will be closed on Clinton Street near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Bridge next week in preparation for the bridge replacement next year.
The lanes to be closed on Clinton are:
•Eastern lane north of Fourth Street and western lane south of the bridge from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday.
•Western lane between Fourth Street and the bridge from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday.
•Western lane near the south end of the bridge from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.
•Center lane on the bridge from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
The north two lanes of Washington Boulevard will be closed from Harrison Street to Ewing Street beginning Monday. The lane closure will last two months, weather permitting, to allow for the installation of storm sewers.
The state had intended to close the inside lanes for Indiana 3/Lima Road this week, but the closure was postponed because of delays in materials delivered to the site.
The work is now expected to begin 7 a.m. Monday and last for two to three months.
The lane closures will stretch from Wallen Road to south of Cook Road. Minor crossovers will also be closed for short periods.
The Fort Wayne Board of Public Works on Wednesday moved forward with a contract to clear the brush from the right-of-way along Ardmore Avenue.
This will make it easier for utilities to relocate so next year the city can move ahead with widening the street from Taylor Street to Jefferson Boulevard.
David Ross, city engineer, said the project’s final landscaping design has not yet been completed, but he expects to seek bids for the construction this winter so work can begin in the spring.
This week’s audio question comes from Judy Bengel, who asks about directional signs to area hospitals. The segment originally aired Friday afternoon on WOWO and can be found online at www.journalgazette.net/roadsage.
