Dear Editor,
There could be a different way to handle traffic at the Five Points intersection to be built in 2025, with much lower expense and traffic interruption.
First point to be considered is that when Professional Parkway is completed from Industrial Parkway to Route 38, there should be up to 20% drop in Fifth Street traffic.
Second point to be considered is that there are left turn lanes with ‘traffic arrow lights’ in both directions at Coleman’s Crossing for left hand turns onto Delaware Avenue These lights illuminate for five seconds allowing three autos to safely make a turn.
My proposal is the following:
-Place signage for alternate routing to Cherry Street from eastbound Fifth Street at Vine Street between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Taking traffic from Fifth to Vine, to Fourth, to Cherry. Place signage at Fifth and Cherry disallowing a left turn between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Install two left arrow lights (traffic actuated). One for left turns from Cherry Street to Delaware Avenue or to east Fifth Street extension. The second for left turns from Delaware Avenue to Industrial Parkway or Fifth Street extension. Each of these lights should be timed at seven seconds allowing five or six autos to make these turns.
This simple signage and light installation should work for many years and cost much less money as well as time saved involving construction.
Ed Kelley
U.S. 36