Description
The intersection of Thornhill Dr and Moraga Avenue is heavily congested. As a driver, heading in either the North bound or South bound direction, the traffic is increasingly frustrating. Many mornings it takes 3-4 cycles before making it through the intersection.
I have a few suggestions:
1. For the northbound drivers: Add a right-hand turn lane onto Thornhill Drive. There is a "Pocket Park" that we would lose, but it would very nicely relieve the congestion.
2. Shorten the light cycle time when there is lighter traffic. This signal needs to be made smarter.
3. Create a second left-hand turn lane onto Thornhill for Southbound drivers. This would ease congestion coming from the freeway and also allow drivers coming from Piedmont an easier time to merge for the left-hand turn onto Thornhill.
With these suggestions, I'm sure it will ease congestion & provide a much safer drive.
4 Comments
Acknowledged City of Oakland (Verified Official)
Anon (Guest)
Owen Rubin (Registered User)
Ill add one more. But what else it needs is drivers to stop being such jerks (which may mean giving more tickets there!)
1). Northbound 13 exits into this intersection with two NO RIGHT TURN signs posted too early to see when stopped at the light. Cars turning right here (which happens quite often) can't make the turn, and end up blocking southbound Moraga. An additional NO RIGHT TURN sign, posted on one of the signal poles that can be seen from the stop line is necessary. Tickets for right turning cars is also necessary.
2). Northbound Moraga traffic is two lanes, and people wait until AFTER the signal to move to the right to enter 13 North on-ramp. This means cars stopping in the left hand lane trying to merge right at the last moment. Tickets need to be written for these impatient and inconsiderate drivers as they screw up the traffic for many.
3). Sadly, either add a NO RIGHT TURN ON RED to northbound Moraga to Thornhill, or add a right turn signal with RIGHT TURN ON RIGHT ARROW ONLY. It is VERY difficult to see cars coming off the 13 off ramp when trying to turn right from Moraga. I have been nearly hit several times, and see many close calls here. I like the idea of a right turn lane there, but it needs to be signal controlled.
4). Something needs to be done to stop people from coming up Thornhill, going "straight"at the signal as if they were going to turn left on Moraga (the only real option) and then making a very illegal right jog onto the 13 NORTH on ramp for the Southbound side of Moraga. It is very dangerous, and I see this at least 3 to 4 times a week.
I would like to suggest police monitor this intersection from secluded positions to see just how badly people behave here.
Antwon E (Registered User)