Description
About 80% of the traffic exiting the freeway here turns right onto Rt 91 north. Too frequently traffic will back up all the way to the freeway and become a hazzard. Motorists coming up I-271 have less than 1/2 mile to merge through 3 lanes of traffic while decreasins speed from 60 mph to a dead stop.
Adding a second right turn lane or changing the right lane to a left and right turn lane is a simple solution to reduce the occurances of traffic backing up to the freeway. Why hasn't this been done?
4 Comments
DavidReichelt@WilloughbyHills-OH.gov (Registered User)
I appreciate your comments regarding I-90 exit at SR91. The system that controls traffic flow on SR91 is currently being upgraded. When done, it is expected that traffic on SR91 will flow more efficiently, which should help the backup on the exit ramp. However, note that SR91 only has so much capacity. If it is blocked (or slow) upstream (farther North into Willoughby and Eastlake), then there isn't much that can be done to alleviate the problem. Adding a second right turn lane would only increase the traffic load SR91. Also, because of the terrain immediately adjacent to that ramp, the cost of a second right turn lane would be prohibitive, so that's not likely to happen. Let's see how the flow improves when the new system is completed and re-evaluate the situation in a few months.
Thanks,
Dave
Gary (Guest)
Thanks for responding Dave. I hope the upgrade helps. In any event, I think simply changing the left lane to a right and left turn would reduce the occurrances of traffic backing up onto the freeway. I would certainly feel safer sitting in a traffic jam on SR91, or further up the ramp, than on I-90 with someone behind me trying to cross three lanes of traffic while going from 60MPH to a dead stop.
The cost could not be that prohibitive to change the turn options of an existing lane. This would also make law abiding citizens of the few drivers who already use the left lane to turn right.
DavidReichelt@WilloughbyHills-OH.gov (Registered User)
OK. I thought you were suggesting an additional right-turn lane. I'll pass your concerns on to our City Engineer. Note that this intersection is largely the responsibility of ODOT, so any changes there would require their involvement. Further, I'm sure changes wouldn't be considered until the effects of the new traffic control system (recently installed there) have been fully evaluated and further adjustments are made, if necessary.
Thanks,
Dave
Gary (Guest)