Published November 28th, 2018
Second right-hand turn on Moraga Road at Mt. Diablo Boulevard trial period underway
By Pippa Fisher
Barricades close off the Mt. Diablo Boulevard pedestrian crossing from Plaza Park to Bank of America as part of the testing of a second northbound right-turn lane from Moraga Road in Lafayette. Photo provided
The long-awaited second right-turn lane from Moraga Road onto Mt. Diablo Boulevard is finally here, albeit just for a 90-day trial period. And the city wants to hear opinions on how it's working out for drivers.

The pilot program, approved as part of the downtown congestion reduction plan adopted in March, is intended to evaluate whether the extra turn lane feeding traffic onto Mt. Diablo Boulevard can help ease congestion farther south, downstream on Moraga Road.

New road striping guides motorists with an extra turn arrow painted in the middle lane at the lights and additional striping on Mt. Diablo Boulevard facilitates merging after the turn.

Because drivers turning right from the second lane have limited visibility, the pedestrian crossing from Plaza Park to the Bank of America corner of the parking lot opposite has been closed. Orange barricades with fencing and signage have been placed to direct pedestrians to use alternate crosswalks. Overhead pedestrian "walk" lights have been covered and are turned off.

Additionally, signal technology upgrades are being installed at both this junction and at Mt. Diablo Boulevard and First Street that will enable data collection. This technology will include updated signal controllers to run the signal timing plans. The upgrades are the first steps toward implementing another Downtown Congestion Reduction Plan strategy to achieve better signal coordination and traffic management on downtown roads.

Following the 90-day trial period, data gathered will be brought back for council consideration early next year.




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