The main problems with the intersection of Florida Road, East 3rd Avenue and 15th Street, referred to as Malfunction Junction, are the two left turns. If the left turns were eliminated, the existing structure of the intersection could remain basically the same and function similar to a roundabout. All traffic would be going straight or turning right.
To accomplish this, traffic turning left from 3rd Avenue would be diverted to 14th Street and the old cut through the median at 14th Street would be reinstalled. This left-turn option did exist years ago at 14th Street. Doesn’t it makes sense to funnel that traffic directly to the stoplight at Main Avenue instead of having the current zigzag path (left on 15th Street, then left on E. 2nd Avenue, then right on 14th Street) to get to the major intersection of Main Avenue?
All left-turn traffic coming from Florida Road to town would be directed to E. 2nd Avenue.
These solutions could be the first phase of traffic upgrades to this area of town. After eliminating the left turns at Malfunction Junction, city engineers could reevaluate traffic flow on E. 2nd Avenue between 13th Street and 15th Street as a second phase of improvements.
These two fairly simple things would reduce the amount of traffic and calm the confusion at this trying intersection.
Barb Bell
Durango
