Description
Following the repaving of Powell Street between Christie Avenue and Highways 580W/80E, the newly painted lane stripes have created some confusion among drivers and led to near crashes most mornings. When exiting the Hwy 580W/80E off ramp onto Powell Street, the far right lane was re-striped to turn right into the far right lane of Powell Street, not the two far right lanes of Powell Street. The middle lane can turn onto any of the other Powell Street lanes. Unfortunately, many drivers in the far right off ramp lane turn onto Powell Street into the second lane from the right. For those drivers in the middle off ramp lane who follow the lane striping that allows them to turn into the second lane from the right, the far right lane drivers nearly crash into their vehicle's passenger side. I'm conflicted about how else to address this issue. I follow the lane striping rules and prepare for impact if I use the middle off ramp lane onto Powell Street. If I use the far right lane, I'd have to violate the lane striping to enter the second lane from the right during peak commute periods. This morning was more stressful as a large commercial truck used the far right off ramp lane and immediately turned into the second right lane on Powell Street despite all the vehicles in the middle off ramp turn lane. Either re-stripe the lane to how it was painted before the re-paving or set up better instructions to avoid these potential crashes each morning commute period. Thank you.
3 Comments
redbud (Registered User)
Most drivers ignore the new No Right Turn on Red sign at this intersection. They use the far right lane to bypass the backup in the middle lane, and as the original poster explained, most are headed to the middle lane of Powell.
I understand that the change was intended to make the crosswalk safer for pedestrians, which is important, but the new striping is not achieving that objective.
Beatriz Quezda (Registered User)
This problem continues to grow daily. Now I see vehicles turning on red, turning right from the far right exit lane into one of the left turn lanes (jumping four lanes), using the middle exit lane for an illegal left turn (as it was before the restriping), and on rare occasions using that same middle exit lane to illegally go straight back onto the highway.
What will it take before citations are issued so people learn not to ignore the new rules and striping? I’m dreading this intersection daily. I use the middle lane in fear that it’s not an if, but a when, someone will plow into the side of my vehicle and claim I’m the one ignoring the traffic rules when they in fact did so.
Do I need to attend the next city council meeting before any action takes place?
Closed Emeryville Public Works – RO (Verified Official)
Thank you for reporting. The Emeryville Police Department has this location on their directed patrol routes, and will issue tickets to vehicles in violation of the "No Right Turn on Red" sign and other vehicle violations.
For your other concerns about the lane striping, we will direct you to our Transportation Committee and Public Works Committee meetings. The Transportation Committee and Public Works Committee meetings are conducted on the second Thursday of every month at the Emeryville City Hall building (1333 Park Ave.) at 9:00 AM. The meetings are open to the public. These Committee meetings are the appropriate forum to convey concerns with transportation and traffic items. Link with more details: http://www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/89/Local-Boards-Commissions-Committees