Crashes at Hwy. 61-Huff Street in Winona prompt left-turn signal changes
WINONA, Minn. (WKBT) — Recurring left-turn crashes prompted the Minnesota Department of Transportation to discontinue the flashing yellow arrow traffic signal for left turns from Hwy. 61 onto Huff Street between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Motorists turning left from 61 onto Huff between those times now are allowed to turn left only when a green arrow appears.
The signal adjustment, which was done Tuesday morning, is only for cars turning from Hwy. 61 onto Huff. Flashing yellow left-turn arrows continue to operate for left turns from Huff to 61.
MnDOT consulted with city and county engineers, as well as local law enforcement, about the changes.
A rash of left-turn crashes at the intersection occurred because motorists were not yielding safely at the flashing yellow arrow, a MnDOT official said.
When a flashing yellow arrow is active, it means that drivers may turn left after yielding to all oncoming traffic and to any pedestrians in the crosswalk. Oncoming traffic has a green light, so left-turning drivers must wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic.
MnDOT plans to monitor traffic at the intersection to determine whether further changes are needed, the official said.
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