AARoads Forum

National Boards => General Highway Talk => Topic started by: Mergingtraffic on June 16, 2009, 10:31:47 PM

Title: Optional Lanes
Post by: Mergingtraffic on June 16, 2009, 10:31:47 PM
Does your state use the optional lane at expressway two lane exit ramps?

In CT, many times there are one lane exit ramps that open up into two lane exit ramps and there is enough pavement to restripe the exit as a two lane exit from the main line with an optional lane (where you can exit or stay on the main line). 

Such as here at the Eastbound I-84/US-7 Split...the left lane is an exit only left exit, when in reality it could be restriped as a full two lane exit with the middle lane as an optional lane.
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qx2hvy8wdtf7&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=19797446&encType=1 (http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qx2hvy8wdtf7&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=19797446&encType=1)

However on the Westbound I-84/US 7 Split, there is the same design but the middle lane is an optional lane, where you can stay on I-84 or go onto Us 7.  This is much better for traffic flow.
http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qwyhd88w96yf&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=19799383&encType=1 (http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCC&cp=qwyhd88w96yf&style=o&lvl=2&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&scene=19799383&encType=1)

Believe it or not, the westbound split was just restriped this way a few years back, so I ask the DOT and council of governments about the eastbound split and they said the "project" is not slated to be done yet...it's just restriping of lines!!!  What is the red-tape!?