Rules of the road on my commute will become a little clearer thanks to an observant reader.
Q. Merging onto Lake Avenue from Delta Boulevard, there is a left-turn lane to head west on Lake. What is confusing to many is there are two yellow lines between the lanes – so as not to cross over into the through-traffic lane. I would think a double white line would be better. – David Strong
A. Great catch, David, and one that will prompt change.
I travel through this intersection daily, and while I haven’t noticed many problems with the markings, I can definitely see the potential for confusion.
For those unfamiliar with the area, Lake Avenue is one way going west, just west of Delta Boulevard, and is a two-way street east of the intersection. There are no stop or yield signs at the intersection, which allows traffic coming from all directions to flow freely.
Shan Gunawardena, city traffic engineer, said double yellow lines are supposed to run between lanes of traffic going in opposite directions. Double white lines are supposed to run between lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Based on this, yellow lines on Lake are appropriate just east of Delta and white lines are appropriate west of the intersection.
Frequently, drivers on Delta wanting to turn left onto Lake stop at the intersection to watch for oncoming traffic, possibly confused by the appearance of the double yellow lines that continue west of the intersection.
City crews will change the markings when they next paint the lines in the area, said Gunawardena, adding a reminder for drivers that double lines, regardless of the color, mean drivers should not cross them.
I know from experience that many drivers heading west on Lake jump the double lines early in an effort to pass slower-moving vehicles.
Some even cut over before the intersection if they think the way is clear, but that’s an entirely different problem.
Auburn Road
The Fort Wayne City Council this week approved a $2.2 million with Fleming Excavating to widen and improve Auburn Road from Clinton Street to Cook Road.
The project, largely being financed by the state and federal governments, will widen Auburn to four travel lanes plus turn lanes at the two intersections. A new traffic signal will be installed at the intersection with Cook, a sidewalk will be installed on the west side of the road and a trail will be placed on the east side.
The project follows the widening of the Auburn Road bridge over Interstate 69 completed a few years ago. The project is expected to be completed this fall.
Radio Sage
This week’s audio question comes from W.B., who asked about the intersection of Lima and Wallen roads. The segment originally aired Friday on WOWO and can be found online at www.journalgazette.net/roadsage.
