As a Westport/West Plaza residents we would like to bring up an issue regarding the lack of traffic flow, as well as pedestrian safety, at both stop lights on Westport Road, specifically where they connect with Southwest Traffic way, east and west bound. We are particularly concerned with the present absence of left turn signals/arrows which impedes efficient traffic movement. The problem is this: the traffic moving in either direction, both east and west along Westport Road, causes drivers that are attempting to make a left hand turn to wait until all traffic going in the opposite direction clears. This sometimes means waiting until the light changes to turn left. Additionally, there is the possibility of sitting through multiple complete light changes before having the opportunity to turn. Normally during busy traffic periods this results in only one car finishing a left turn prior to the light turning yellow or red. Consequently this causes serious congestion to vehicles behind them and at times directly blocking the left hand lanes on both sides of Southwest Traffic way. We believe that the most efficient and cost effective solution would be to implement left turn arrows at both sides of the intersections.This would increase the delay for Southwest Traffic way, but the additional interruption would be minimal. By including a left turn arrow you would reduce unnecessary congestion, while creating an opportunity for local business and housing establishments to be more accessible. A prevailing view may be to do little or nothing, especially in the present economic situation; however the issue of congestion in Westport/Northern Plaza continues to grow. Similar to Hyde Park, Westport has been under going restoration. As a result, there has been an increase of value in the neighborhoods along with significant population increase. The addition of an arrow to both lights is a cheaper solution compared to expanding the roads; additionally this would provide greater convenience and safety that Westport Road is currently lacking. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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