ACHD's Road Wizard Sunday, November 20, 2016

Closed circuit television cameras located at most signalized intersections send video to ACHD’s Traffic Management Center, where Ada County traffic can be monitored throughout the day.

After hearing from Ginger, ACHD staff gave Cherry and Linder more screen time, and it was observed that there is a surge of congestion between 3:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. A high percentage of motorists turn right from Cherry onto Linder, and they are often delayed by through traffic. Turn-ing drivers also have to yield to the many students using the crosswalks. Backups get worse again around 4:45 p.m. and remain during rush hour.

This level of congestion isn’t necessarily standard for Cherry at Linder. Utility work being done prior to the widening of Franklin Road has closed the section between Black Cat and McDermott roads, and Ustick Road widening work is underway. Drivers are using Cherry as an alternate route.

There is room for a right-turn lane from Cherry onto Linder, and the plan is to add one, but probably not within five years, at least in existing plans.

Instead, the current focus is widening nearby roads. The extra capacity on those routes should decrease the backups at Cherry and Linder.

As for the signal timing, Cherry and Linder get about the same amount of green time. Traffic volume overall may be a little lighter on Linder, but Linder only has the single through lane, while Cherry has two.

ACHD is making signal adjustments to improve traffic flow during the road work to better move Cherry drivers through the intersection, and the reopening of Franklin in December will also help.

Currently, Hickory has a left-turn lane and a through/right-turn lane at Fairview on the north side of the intersection. Reader "KJ" wrote about increased traffic and the frustration from not being able to turn right on a red light from Hickory when a through driver is stopped ahead.

ACHD removed some of the median island in 2005 to install a traffic signal. However, taking out anything more from the island or roadside isn't worth the trade, or expense.

Most drivers on Hickory are turning left onto Fairview, and adding a right-turn-only lane wouldn’t do enough to benefit the overall traffic efficiency.

ACHD is installing more and more of the flashing yellow arrows on major roads, but it was a slow process at first. ACHD wanted to observe that the signals could be used safely on streets with higher posted speed limits.