Bring back the right turn lane on Bird Avenue
This past week traffic was backed up in the one lane from McDonald to Matilda and beyond because two lanes are now one. The need to remove this less than smart planter feature and add the right turn lane back. This is a main artery, it needs as many lanes as possible.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:00 AM
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17 Comments:
You are correct, where do we send complaint ?
Connie S.
You're a little late — it's gone! —— Terry Ferrer
Terry, I was just there and so is the planter
We need the lane. We don't need the planter.
Oh, right. I see it now. The one they removed was back by the Bird Rd entrance to Home Depot farthest east from MacDonald.
A few weeks ago I saw a man turn West coming out of Home Depot on Bird and get his tires stuck deep in that planter. This was before they put dirt in it. A woman coming out of Home Depot exclaimed, "That's the third car I've seen do that this weekend. People can't see it (the planter) as they turn!"
I've lived down the street from this intersection for about 40 years, when Home Depot was a clothing store. Drivers in Miami Dade, being what they are approach this right turn barely slowing down to turn right towards U.S. # 1. Prior to this planter if traffic is stopped for a red light or whatever the reason driver's turning right can't set traffic heading West to U.S. # 1. Damn someone walking, bicycling or pushing baby carriages Remember unless a sign reads "MUST STOP BEFORE TURNING RIGHT ON RED" the driver needs to only slow down and use "CAUTION". Get real "CAUTION" translates into push the pedal to the metal. Nothing, NOTHING
N O T H I N G is going to slow drivers down or reduce the traffic that all the condo's and MacMansions have brought into and through our back streets. Just be careful and remember you have no rights so drive and walk defensively. Jobie Steppe
I agree that we should restore the right turn lane if possible. Remember when we had a right turn lane at Grand and MacDonald, at the post office? Since they took that away, and installed a non-staffed, unused kiosk, getting out of the post office is dangerous. Traffic backs up endlessly, and cars, bikes and pedestrians all jockey for access from three directions since they took away that lane. Is there a coordinated effort to remove this new planter?
The planter is a traffic control device. When cars were turning North, towards U.S. # 1., from Bird the drivers couldn't see past cars stopped for the red light and barely slowed down for North bound traffic, bicyclist and walkers. The Drivers turning onto MacDonald from Bird, heading South stay behind the stop line otherwise drivers turning East from MacDonald onto bird would hit the front of the cars extending past the stop line. Now, with the planter driver's crossing MacDonald heading West can see traffic. Get it? The planter was wisely placed to be a traffic controlling device. There will now be less accidents. Remove the planter and more accidents.
At the very least they should remove the sign that says “RIGHT LANE MUST TURN RIGHT”!! Also with all the work that was done would it not have made sense to put sidewalks in the areas where there are none. Walking east toward SW 27th you are still forced to walk in the street where the sidewalk suddenly disappears multiple times. So at the end of the day all that work and expense has only caused more traffic and has not improved pedestrian safety! Seriously flawed planning and execution!
Where's the bike lane? Shouldn't all new street improvements include a designated lane for cyclists?
A year ago when this was announced they touted bike lanes “"The redesign of Bird Avenue has begun. New landscaping will add to the canopy and aesthetic that is important to the Grove. New bike lanes will encourage us to get out of our cars and safely enjoy the neighborhood," stated Commissioner Russell.”
Re The Planter. Here today, gone tomorrow? Let's hope so.
Its a definitive,a major faux pas, the lane must return,traffic will be beyond extreme.where it it is everywhere,and where its unnecessary to stack. Maybe an addl light with a right turn isgnal,or caution as you turn.But a ludicrous error.
Not sure where the commenter above came up with this: Remember unless a sign reads "MUST STOP BEFORE TURNING RIGHT ON RED" the driver needs to only slow down and use "CAUTION".
If it's a red light the law requires you to stop before making a right turn on red. No sign needs to be posted telling people to stop.
There's nothing about "caution" in the red light law. Just because the idiots in Miami don't stop, doesn't mean that it's not the law.
Nop, in Florida a driver is not required under the law to stop while turning right on a red light. A driver is by law only required to slow down and turn right using "caution". It's the law read it.
Actually, the law reads if there's a camera and there is no signage that reads "Must Stop Before turning Right on Red" a driver can turn right on red without stopping but must do so "in a careful & prudent manner. Someone working for the camera company up North reviews all footage and determines if any such turn was accomplish "in a careful & prudent manner". I was issued a citation on Key Biscayne and knew this law and under the sunshine rules I demanded all info on all drivers who was issued a citation using this greedy money grabbing maneuver and my case was dismissed. The fine was $158.00, and I made the turn carefully. Jobie Steppe
Exactly: "If there's a camera." But that law only says a camera violation shouldn't be issued. The cameras and the way they're unlawfully issuing the tickets is definitely a cash grab.
But it's different than the law on stopping at red lights. 316.075(1)c1a says a driver who is stopped...may make a right turn. (requiring a stop first)
But not to debate traffic law, I agree the redesign of the road in this area was done in a stupid manner and will cause more traffic to back up and less safety for those walking and biking around here.
And please stop on red before turning - whether there's a camera, sign or not.
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