Anyone who has driven through the intersection of Bloomingdale Avenue and U.S. 301 knows that during the busy times of the day, it can take multiple light cycles to get through.
- Five lanes for westbound traffic at light
- Situation leaves drivers sitting, frustrated
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There are five lanes for westbound traffic at the light. Three turn right, toward Interstate 75, one turns left, and there is one lane left for motorists that want to drive straight through the intersection.
Bay News 9 viewer Matthew Downey said it becomes a real cluster in the morning.
"I find the lane setup to be very frustrating, as it causes quite the many traffic issues," he said.
William Cox drives it every day and sees it also.
"Sometimes you've got people actually being in the turn lane will come down and jump in front of you," Cox said told Bay News 9 Real Time Traffic Reporter Chuck Henson.
In one instance, two cars clearly drove through when the lane markings showed a right turn only.
Cox would like to see a second thru lane added.
"They need two lanes to go straight ahead because I don't think it's fair," he said. "That one lane going straight ahead is … you've got to have patience."
During the peak of morning traffic, nearly 4,000 cars make the right turn using the three right lanes.
Just less than 1,000 make the trip straight through the intersection.
While a change isn't likely, county public works says there are some improvements they can make.
Improvements could include additional signage and pavement markings to better alert drivers of the lane configuration.
Another option Henson proposed to the county was to make the first of the three turn lanes a "turn or straight" optional lane. Officials will take a look into that consideration.