[SDCBC] El Camino De La Reina Eastbound at Texas/Qualcomm

[Darryl MacKenzie]

At the above intersection, we have recently progressed from a terrible road
situation for a cyclist to a very acceptable situation then back to a
terrible one again.

 

For many of us this is the main east west artery through Mission Valley.
Recently the east bound traffic flow was changed twice. The first time, it
was definitely to the advantage of the cyclist. The most recent change has
reverted to a very bad situation.

 

Ignoring the left turn lanes at this intersection for this email, for years
there were 2 lanes available, a left hand lane for straight through traffic
and a very wide (with no marked bike lane) right hand lane for both straight
and right turning traffic. Most motor vehicle traffic in this lane turn
right, I would estimate more than 75% of motor vehicles do so. At this
intersection, historically the cyclist had to slow and negotiate between the
motor vehicles who were stopped in variously positions in their right turn
in this wide lane. It was a very dangerous situation for the cyclist,
especially since most motorists did not have a turn signal on when turning
right.

 

Several months ago, this wide right hand lane was re-stripped. The wide
right lane was split into a right turn only lane and a straight only lane.
What a positive difference this made! Motor vehicles seemed to quickly adapt
to the new lane. Cyclists rode in the new lane that was all straight traffic
and the intersection was much safer. The safety level was increased
significantly for the cyclist and all motorists.

 

However, recently the situation at this intersection has changed to wipe out
all the previous gains. Now the new straight through only lane has been
changed to a combination straight through and right hand turn lane (think of
Gilman southbound at I-5 with a second-from-the right lane having traffic
legally able to turn right or go straight, not good.) We are again forced to
negotiate between the motor vehicles in this lane, few of which bother to
put on their right turn signal when turning.

 

The optimal situation here is a bike lane with no combination lane for
straight through and right turn lane. But, if that were impossible, it would
be much better if we reverted back to a dedicated straight through lane or
made the 2 far right hand lanes right turn only leaving the third lane from
the right lane being the only straight through lane for all traffic. 

 

Can we get this intersection improved?

 

Darryl MacKenzie

 <mailto:DarrylMacKenzie at Cox.Net> DarrylMacKenzie at Cox.Net

(619) 303-7316

o^o  o^o  o^o o^o  o^o  o^o o^o  o^o  o^o

 

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