Warsaw’s Traffic Safety Commission discussed the center lane at the approach to the Winona Avenue train crossing Wednesday. The lane is marked with a solid yellow line and a yellow diagonal line to indicate it is not to be used as a second lane. Kip Shuter, Warsaw Police Department Lt., said motorists ignore the marking. When a train is present, motorists are using what is supposed to be a center turn lane as a through lane. Those who drive in the correct travel lane and want to merge to the center lane on the west side of the tracks to continue straight on Winona Avenue are not able to because of those improperly using the turn lane. Mayor Joe Thallemer suggested adding a raised island barrier in the center lane, but said it would not be an ideal situation. He encouraged the city to continue to clearly mark the lane as a turn only lane and have law enforcement oversee it. In other business, the commission discussed the intersection of Center Street and Capital Drive. The problem area exists for traffic that is eastbound on Center Street Extended approaching U.S. 30. The existing stop sign is placed at the east side of the entrance to the Center Center plaza and sits far enough back that it makes it difficult for motorists to gauge the intent of those coming either from or across U.S. 30. The intersection has been reviewed by the commission in the past, but the problem is with the entrance to Center Center plaza and the property owner has not been willing to consider relocating the entrance. The commission approved moving the stop sign to the west side of the Center Center access and installing signs prohibiting motorists from blocking the drive. Also during the meeting, the commission approved asking the city to amend an ordinance for Center Street, a portion of Hepler Drive and Zimmer Lane to be designated as truck routes.
