ELLICOTT - The turning lane for northbound traffic near the city line to turn into the Arrow Mart or McDonald's has changed in error.
The turning lane, prior to a highway construction project, was a median turning area where it could be used by both northbound and southbound traffic. Vehicles traveling north could turn into the gas station, McDonald's or the Hampton Inn and traffic going south could turn into Bob Evans or Comfort Inn.
However, new painted traffic lines in the area restrict northbound traffic from turning into the gas station or the McDonald's while the southbound lane has a left-hand turn designated for turning onto Marvin Parkway.
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The turning lane painted near the Jamestown city line was painted in error during a highway construction project. The previous painted traffic lines, where people can turn either direction, will return.
P-J photo by Dennis Phillips
According to Charles Morgante, state Transportation Department regional operations director, this traffic pattern was painted in error.
''The contractor went down there and put in some temporary striping. The striping was put down in error,'' he said. ''It will return back to a median where people can turn in either direction. There will not be a dedicated left-hand turning area.''
Morgante said the previous traffic pattern, where traffic can enter the median from both directions, is not considered an unsafe highway area that would need to be changed for public safety.
''We have no indication that there is an accident problem in the area,'' he said. ''We feel the striping, the way it was before, is the correct solution.''
The highway project near the city line is part of milling work done to the pavement to prevent additional asphalt deterioration. The project on Route 60 extends from the Kimball Stand Road to the Jamestown north city line. Morgante said the state Transportation Department is almost done with the project.
''Once we get the striping down, there is some work outside of the pavement area, but it is almost wrapped up,'' he said.