So you’re no longer able to make left-hand turns off Franklin Avenue at University Avenue? Get used to it. With safety considerations in mind, Central Corridor folks decided to ditch left turns at both Franklin Avenue and Pelham Boulevard.
After overhearing some electronic chatter about traffic changes at Franklin and University on the e-democracy forums, the Scoop reached out to the Central Corridor spokespeople for an explanation.
Here’s what a spokeswoman had to say via email:
The Central Corridor LRT Project reconstructed the University-Franklin intersection, which included reconstructing the Pelham Street approach to Franklin Avenue. As part of the intersection reconstruction design, the city asked the project to make Pelham and Franklin a right-in, right-out only design because of the close proximity to the University Avenue intersection. Therefore, the project utilized a raised concrete median and no left-turn signs to eliminate left turns at Pelham and Franklin. The number of turns is heavy from westbound University to go westbound on Franklin. Since the Pelham approach is so close to University Avenue, left turns to and from Pelham were eliminated to make the intersection safer.
Drivers on Pelham who want to go westbound on Franklin now need to take Raymond to University to Franklin or Wabash to Cromwell to Franklin.
Here’s a visual:
View Larger Map
So that explains that. According to Scoop spies, some drivers have apparently already taken to driving around the existing barrier on Pelham Boulevard and making an illegal left-hand turn onto Franklin Avenue.
Here’s one driver’s take, as quoted from the e-democracy forums:
what a stupid idea to block that intersection & not allow that turn. Now to get onto either I94 or to Hwy 280, you must drive to Raymond & wait to turn left – either pulling a U turn or being forced to drive a block north to get back to either on-ramps. I am frequently at both Memorial Blood Center and at Jimmy Johns so I am one of those that makes the illegal left turn regularly. If ever pulled over for it, I’ll happily go fight it – but probably should bring it to the city’s attention before going to those lengths I suppose.
What are your thoughts? Will the lack of left turns at Pelham Boulevard and Franklin Avenue spoil your driving mojo?
Feel free to sound off, 1, 2…