Arrows will point the way to Kentucky Transportation Cabinet traffic changes in the Morehead area this week.
On Cranston Road (KY 377) approaching the KY 32 intersection, crews have installed new arrow markings on the pavement to create dual left-turn lanes.
Previously, southbound Cranston Road traffic could choose either a left-turn lane or a right-turn lane at the KY 32 intersection. On Tuesday, the turn lanes were restriped to allow left turns onto KY 32 toward Morehead from either lane, and to allow right turns onto KY 32 toward Park Hills-Flemingsburg from the righthand lane only. Through traffic may access the cemetery from the righthand lane.
The changes will help move more traffic, especially during morning rush hours, onto KY 32 toward I-64, the schools and downtown Morehead.
Starting Wednesday, crews will install new flashing yellow arrow traffic signals on KY 32 at the I-64 Westbound on and off ramps. In the coming weeks, similar yellow-arrow signals will come to the I-64 eastbound ramps, Kroger and Walmart traffic lights. Motorists should watch for brief lane closures and delays during signal installation.
The work is part of an ongoing Kentucky Department of Highways District 9 safety enhancement project that involves replacing yield-on-green signals with flashing yellow arrow signals at more than 20 locations along state highways in Mason, Greenup, Boyd, Carter and Rowan counties – most recently along US 23 in Greenup and at Maysville.
The new arrow signals can reduce the risk of making left turns across lanes of oncoming traffic by providing more detailed information to drivers. They will not change existing traffic patterns.
After installation, there will be four different left arrows that motorists could see:
- A steady red arrow means stop. Drivers turning left must stop.
- A steady yellow arrow means the signal is getting ready to turn red. Drivers turning left should stop if it is safe to do so.
- A flashing yellow arrow means left turns are permitted, but drivers must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then proceed with caution.
- A steady green arrow means left turns are protected. Drivers may turn left. Conflicting traffic must stop.
Now being used at intersections across the country, this new left-turn arrow configuration stemmed from a Federal Highway Administration study about five years ago that showed the arrows had a higher level of driver comprehension and helped reduce crash rates.
For more information, including an animated graphic and handout explaining how the new arrow signals work, see the Transportation Cabinet’s “Flashing Yellow Lights” page online at http://transportation.ky.gov/Traffic-Operations/Pages/Flashing-Yellow-Lights.aspx or at http://bit.ly/KYFlash.
Motorists are reminded that road work schedules are subject to change depending on weather conditions. Please heed all warning signs, slow down in work zones and remain aware of workers and construction equipment when traveling.
(story provided by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet)
