IRVINE : 90 Left-Turn Arrows Slated for Removal
Ninety left-turn arrows at intersections with low traffic volumes will be removed in the coming months in an effort to cut the time motorists spend waiting for traffic signals to switch through their full cycles.
The City Council unanimously approved the plan Tuesday night on a recommendation from its Traffic Commission.
Taking out some or all of the left-turn arrows at 44 intersections “strikes a balance between our residents’ mobility needs and safety,” said Arya Rohani, manager of transportation services. None of the arrows slated for removal can be justified by traffic volumes or needs for safety, he said.
Removing the arrows should decrease wait time at the lights by as much as 15%, Rohani said.
The electronics controlling the left-turn will remain in place in case future traffic volumes justify the need for the arrows, he said.
Removal of the left-turn arrows should be completed within six months. The plan is to remove the ones in Westpark and Woodbridge in December, the ones in the Irvine Business Complex in January, followed by those in Spectrum in March and Northwood in April.
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