Search
Polls
Latest Forum Posts
| Taking a Knee unclebuck 15-11-08 13:51 |
| Re:Football unclebuck 07-10-08 15:24 |
| Re:Football unclebuck 02-10-08 12:59 |
Login Form
| Traffic hot spot gets attention |
|
|
| Written by John Saiz / Patterson Irrigator / | |
| Wednesday, 06 February 2008 | |
|
City workers changed the timing of a traffic light at Ward Avenue and M Street on Friday in an effort to untangle one of the city’s most heavily congested areas.  LET'S GO! The timing of a signal at Ward Avenue and M Street has been changed to help traffic flow more freely through the congestion hot spot. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator Traffic sometimes has been so heavy there that cars have had to wait for a light to turn green several times before they could get through the intersection. The Patterson City Council had heard enough complaints about congestion and safety — not to mention that at least one councilwoman had to drive through the intersection to get her child to school. “As someone who drives that intersection daily, I can tell you it’s a hazard,” Councilwoman Annette Smith said. “It’s a free-for-all. There’s no method to the madness.” The council decided to reprogram the light, so traffic will not be going east and west at the same time. “Protected” turn arrows also have been added, so drivers know they are allowed to turn without fearing oncoming traffic. The city hopes the many vehicles that turn left onto Ward Avenue will no longer be delayed. “Haven’t heard any complaints,” Deputy Director of Public Works Robert Andrade said this week of the change. “But it’s the first weekend.” The rather straightforward solution carried a price tag of $8,765. “To me, it’s worth it,” Smith said. “It is so much easier.” Tuesday morning, there were still cars backing up at the intersection, but the new green arrow prevented drivers from getting stuck behind someone turning left. Some people trying to cross the intersection said they had not noticed the change this week. Jeff Wagstaff said the intersection is usually busy when he takes his children to school, and he didn’t notice the difference Monday or Tuesday. A Del Puerto High School teacher whose turn it was to monitor the intersection Tuesday morning said people often drive recklessly in the area. He also had not noticed much difference with the green arrow. To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The Patterson Irrigator encourages a free and open exchange of ideas and information. We reserve the right but do not assume any obligation to delete comments that do not meet our publishing standards. Comments
(1)
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
These concerns were brought up at two city council meeting and I wrote one article in the paper outlining these exact issues. Now there is a problem? There has always been a problem on this stretch of roadway and wait until the additional traffic begins to drive the area. The developer used fancy terms to sell the project and city staffers jumped on the band wagon. Hang on to your boot straps, its only going to get worse.