IRVINE : Harvard Ave. to Lose 4 Left-Turn Signals

The city began removing left-turn signals from four Harvard Avenue intersections on Monday in an effort to improve traffic flow.

The move is part of a yearlong traffic program that has led to the removal of 30 left-turn arrows throughout the city.

Officials said the signals cause motorists to endure unwarranted delays and are not needed at many uncrowded intersections. The left-turn arrows force some drivers to wait as long as two minutes before making turns.

“They can end up wasting time for people,” said Arya Rohani, the city’s transportation manager. “We want to make it easier for people to get through.”

The latest round of signal removals occurred in the Westpark area near City Hall. The affected intersections are at San Juan, San Leon, San Marino and San Carlo. Other left-turn lights have been taken down in residential villages such as Northwood and Woodbridge, and in industrial areas.

Rohani said that in all cases, city officials determined that the lights did more to slow traffic than ease it.

Officials stressed that left-turn signals on busy streets will remain. City rules require turn signals on streets with speed limits of more than 50 m.p.h. and at intersections with double left-hand turn lanes, Rohani said.