A sidewalk view Monday of the right turn lane on First Avenue at Lyon Street.
For years, there’s been a bike lane on First Avenue in downtown Albany. But the lane disappears at Lyon Street, leaving motorists and the occasional cyclist to work out a traffic pattern on the spot.
You’d think this would lead to problems. There would be inevitable collisions, or at least bruised feelings. That’s what you would think.
But consider what actually happens, as illustrated in the video below:
I don’t know what if anything could be done to prevent potential traffic conflicts at the corner of First and Lyon, which can become quite congested with right-turners headed over the bridge.
But what I’ve experienced there as a cyclist, when I want to go straight on First instead of turning right, is a miraculous confluence of courtesy and common sense.
Let that continue to be the norm to keep the intersection working fine. (hh)
What I think the city should consider is the same solution used at he corner of 1st and Washington? One thru lane on the left, one bicycle lane in the center (for going straight) and one right turn only lane on the right. Seems to work OK in the Washington intersection.
Hey, we give’m a wide birth as to right of way on all occasions. Always have even out on the Highway. Makes me envious…they are exercising & I’m sitting on my duff. But we have air conditioning & a sound system! >)
Rich O. First and Washington is a City Street. First and Lyon (Lyon to be exact) is a State Hiway
You will never get the State to agree to anything even similar to what you suggest.
Often true about the state but not always. Take for example the lane change improvements in front of St. Mary’s. The state did finally come around on that.
As to 1st and Lyon; does it really need state approval? The lane changes would be on 1st, a city street, not Lyon.