Tiogue Avenue: Was the Wait Worth It ?
Anyone that lives or travels through Coventry knows it was a long wait for the improvements. The big question is was it worth it? The repavement was great - but how long will it stay nice and smooth once winter hits and the pot holes open up like they do every year. But I think the bigger question is were the extras that were added worth it?
First, what is the need for the blinking light at Stop & Shop? If a blinking yellow light was needed it wasn't needed there! In my opinion, it would have served better at the Hopkins Hill Road intersection! Anyone that gets stuck trying to turn there knows that a blinking yellow light would be a great feature as that light takes forever to turn green. I think that if the state is going to waste money on a blinking yellow light, they should put it to better use.
Second, what is up with the jumbo street signs? Yes, it looks nice and modern, but was it worth the cost?
Third, the turning light onto Reservoir Road- I think a better job could have been done with the replacement of the lines! Even if it is temporary until it is repaved, a little more effort could have gone in than what was done. (Which by the looks of it wasn't much.)
Lastly, the turn lane also known as a Suicide Lane - does anyone know how to use it? From what I've seen, apparently not as I see people either avoiding it like it's evil or even worse using it as their own speed lane flying past everyone like they are practicing for Nascar. I don't understand how people can't figure out what it is! Maybe instead of the big blinking yellow light or the jumbo street signs, the money could have been spent on classes to educate people how to use the turn lane!
Chris Larose
6:01 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I couldn't help but notice that you have not pointed out any positives. Firstly let me help explain a couple of the changes made on Route 3 and why they were a good choice.
The blinking yellow light is apparently the new way of saying yield since the sign above a green light that says left lane yield on green is too difficult for some. Basically nothing has changed there other than it blinks. Relax you'll figure it out.
As for the intersection at Hopkins Hill and Route 3 there have been a couple improvements. Heading Northbound they have made a straight and turning on both lanes. This allows traffic to turn left onto Hopkins Hill and traffic to continue moving in the right hand lane. No need for blinking lights in this intersection.
Big street signs allow the motorist to identify the street much sooner than with normal sized street signs. This helps prevent those last moment stops to make turns and greatly increasing safety.
Lets forgive the sloppy lines and rejoice that there is now a dedicated turning lane
on the Northbound side. All too often when speeding down the hill someone would forget to signal and come to a stop to make the left hand turn onto Reservoir, there should be a few less accidents there now.
Chris Larose
6:02 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
Your Suicide Lanes are a welcome addition to a very busy road. Yes people need to learn how to use them as they are not widely used in our area. Hopefully CPD will catch those using them as their personal speed lanes. Overall traffic has already improved from Reservoir all the way to Sandy Bottom. Get used to them, they will be adding them from Route 95 to Harkney Hill Road soon.
Nate
8:39 pm on Thursday, September 13, 2012
I personally like the improvements... yes it was tricky driving through the 'mine field' of sewer caps during construction but all in all... the resurfacing and new lanes are welcomed from this Coventry resident.
In41time
8:02 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
One of the best improvements were the addition of the new curbstones and sidewalks as there is now a clear demarcation between the vehicle travel lanes and the pedestrian travel walkways. Much safer to walk along Route 3 now.
Korey Fratus
10:51 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
I do understand how the blinking yellow light works-my point was it may have done more good if it was placed at the Hopkins Hill Rd intersection rather than at Stop and Shop. As far as the turn lanes at Hopkins Hill Rd-I think one designated turn lane would have been better rather than both lanes being able to turn or go straight. Not sure why one side has an arrow and the other is a free for all to turn. The traffic has improved but with a little more thought I wonder if it could have been even better.
As far as the Suicide Lanes-I don't have an issue with them-I was pointing out that many don't understand them. I do understand that they aren't used a lot in the area but if you head to Bald Hill Rd they have them so it's not as if people have never seen them.