Road Warrior

The in basket: Ian MacKenzie wrote, “I was wondering if you have heard any explanation for the change that was made to the intersection of Silverdale Way and Poplars (Avenue),  by the new YMCA.

“I can understand the need for upgrading the intersection to accommodate the increased traffic with the YMCA,” he said, “but it really seems goofy the way they did it. You used to be able to make a left turn from northbound Silverdale Way to Poplars (two-way left-turn lane). Now you cannot.

“It seems as if it is forcing people to either turn into the parking lot further up Silverdale Way and come back through the parking lot or go all the way up to Ridgetop Boulevard and make a left at the light then make another left onto Poplars and come from the north.”

The out basket: Right-in-right-out accesses are a time-honored traffic control when left turns have proven dangerous or delay traffic behind left turners waiting for traffic to clear. In this case, it’s the danger element.

Jeff Shea, traffic engineer for Kitsap County Public Works, says, “Silverdale Way is one of the top 10 corridors for collisions in Kitsap County. One of the primary causes of accidents along that corridor is traffic entering and exiting from the many approaches and side roads.

“Even before the YMCA was built and Poplars was reconfigured, several collisions occurred at that location,” he said, “With the increased traffic generated by the development, we decided to restrict the movements at Poplars to right in, right out to preclude more collisions.

“The raised island at the intersection was built to prevent motorists from making illegal turn movements,” Jeff added.  “Signs and pavement markings are less effective as physical barriers in restricting traffic movements.