drive an extra couple of blocks to central ave and river st, use the controlled intersection. There probably won't be any time lost, since you sit and wait at the 1st ave and river st intersection for an opportune time to go :)

I don't think you can use Central Ave. to go south, can you?

Peg, I know central is one way. My point is the poster has difficulty turning left at 1st ave west and river street, thus my advice to drive an extra couple of blocks to the controlled intersection at central and river street.

Ah, okay, my error. I was under the iimpression that the OP wanted to turn left from River onto 1st. It's the other way around.

CENTRAL needs to be a TWO WAY LANE, NEED A YOUNGER MAYOR AND COUNCIL. AND THIS I KNOW