Southbound drivers waiting to turn left on Coal Creek Parkway might not have to wait that long anymore.
Greg Farrar / gfarrar@newcastle-news.com
A vehicle turns left onto 135th Avenue Southeast from southbound Coal Creek Parkway Southeast on New Year’s Eve while the new overhead turn signal arrow flashes yellow.
The city installed flashing yellow turn signals at two intersections with an aim to impact particular hotspots where traffic is slowed unnecessarily.
Drivers will notice the changes at Southeast 79th Place and 135th Avenue Southeast on Coal Creek Parkway. The city expects to add more flashing yellow lights on Coal Creek Parkway in 2016.
Flashing yellow arrows, seen often in nearby Issaquah and Bellevue, allow drivers to make a left turn while there is a safe vehicular gap from opposing traffic.
Studies suggest flashing yellow arrows increase safety because they are more effective at getting drivers to yield to oncoming traffic.
When approaching the flashing yellow turn signals, motorists should proceed to turn with caution after yielding to pedestrians or oncoming traffic.