Description
Left Turn HWY 53 Northbound traffic at Research Park Blvd and HWY 53 Intersection
Left turn lanes for HWY 53 northbound traffic are insufficient to handle traffic from Research Park Blvd at 5pm timeframe. Left lane gets stacked up, then many cars race ahead in right lane and try to cut back in line; near the traffic light. Huge accident potential, along with potential road rage incidents.
Recommendation: Make the short left turn lane a U-Turn only lane and extend curb to block forward traffic past the U-Turn location. Change the right lane from “straight only” to Left Turn and Straight traffic (only a few cars need to go straight, since most have just exited Research Park Blvd). This will provide 2 complete left turn lanes and resolve all of the current issues.
Changes also need to be made for left turn lanes for HWY 53 southbound traffic. Currently there are 2 lanes going straight and only 1 left turn lane. This needs to be changed to 2 left turn lanes and 1 going straight; as drivers would go over the overpass if they want to go straight.
Thanks,
Michael
11 Comments
City of Huntsville (Verified Official)
Closed Huntsville Traffic Engineering (Verified Official)
Reopened SteveH (Guest)
Huntsville Traffic Engineering (Verified Official)
Acknowledged Huntsville Police Department (Verified Official)
CJ (Guest)
cj (Registered User)
Closed Huntsville Police Department (Verified Official)
Reopened cj (Registered User)
Closed Huntsville Police Department (Verified Official)
The Traffic Services Division of HPD is continuing to watch this intersection and has received some positive comments from citizens that the traffic problem is much improved now. Your observation on “road rage” at this intersection is identical to comments from citizens at dozens of intersections daily throughout Huntsville. These usually come from a combination of temporary time-related traffic congestion and a relatively new traffic control device or altered speed zone. By Traffic Services Officers continuing to monitor this intersection we will determine the best cause of action to remedy the problem and forward that recommendation to either Hsv Traffic Engineering who manages the light control system or ALDOT who manages the roadway engineering and design.
So far, we have altered the timing of the traffic lights and changed the roadway signs and lane usage to help and most people agree this has helped. As far as a total solution to make all roadway travelers happy, we are still working on meeting the unique needs of this intersection. Thanks for helping with your comments and suggestions.
sphinton (Registered User)