Elimination of Left Turn Lane Creates Negative Consequences
By: Marlisa Goldsmith
Updated: October 11, 2012
"It's often said that an action causes a lot of times, other unintended consequences," says Paul Johnson.
Paul Johnson, managing partner of the Frenchman Creek Shopping Center took his concern the city council on Thursday.
About six years ago, the city of Abilene made road adjustments in an effort to cut down on traffic hazards.
They installed medians and eliminated a left turn onto Frenchman Creek Road near Hastings.
Johnson says this has created several issues for drivers and businesses within the center.
"People trying to get here just say, well I'll just go over here, go through the convenience store and then back onto Frenchman Creek Drive. Obviously, one, it's illegal, and two, it creates some conflict points and is hazardous," says Johnson.
Since the road adjustments, the property manager says they have seen twice as many cars going through the parking lot than before, which adds a financial burden to business owners.
She says, "We've paid for all of the potholes and the repairs that are being done monthly, because of all the traffic."
The center is also losing money in other areas. Due to tenant vacancies the center has lost about three quarters of a million dollars.
For the tenants who are in the shopping center, they are losing out on sales they depend on.
"For us, that's caused us a lot of loss of income because people will go ahead and just keep going straight, oh we'll just go down here and eat instead," says the general manager of Little Italy.
There will most likely never be a perfect solution, however, Johnson says he has the right idea.
He is proposing the idea of installing a left turn lane that would lead to a Frenchman Creek Road, and store manager of Mardel agrees.
Matt Varnell says, "If they know there's a light there. They know there's an alternative route into our parking lot. I think it may draw more customers into the shopping center."
Paul Johnson, managing partner of the Frenchman Creek Shopping Center took his concern the city council on Thursday.
About six years ago, the city of Abilene made road adjustments in an effort to cut down on traffic hazards.
They installed medians and eliminated a left turn onto Frenchman Creek Road near Hastings.
Johnson says this has created several issues for drivers and businesses within the center.
"People trying to get here just say, well I'll just go over here, go through the convenience store and then back onto Frenchman Creek Drive. Obviously, one, it's illegal, and two, it creates some conflict points and is hazardous," says Johnson.
Since the road adjustments, the property manager says they have seen twice as many cars going through the parking lot than before, which adds a financial burden to business owners.
She says, "We've paid for all of the potholes and the repairs that are being done monthly, because of all the traffic."
The center is also losing money in other areas. Due to tenant vacancies the center has lost about three quarters of a million dollars.
For the tenants who are in the shopping center, they are losing out on sales they depend on.
"For us, that's caused us a lot of loss of income because people will go ahead and just keep going straight, oh we'll just go down here and eat instead," says the general manager of Little Italy.
There will most likely never be a perfect solution, however, Johnson says he has the right idea.
He is proposing the idea of installing a left turn lane that would lead to a Frenchman Creek Road, and store manager of Mardel agrees.
Matt Varnell says, "If they know there's a light there. They know there's an alternative route into our parking lot. I think it may draw more customers into the shopping center."
