LEFT TURN Lane on Backlick? - Your Opinion Needed

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The Board has recently resurrected the issue of a left turn lane at Backlick & Leestone Streets. Secretary Rose Weber has entered into discussions with Penny Gross’ office regarding the possibility of having a left turn lane installed. Here’s what she found out:

"Although the road is wide enough, a left turn lane cannot be installed on Backlick Road, turning onto Leestone Street, because the right hand turn lane onto Leestone Street that is on the other side of Backlick creates a conflicting traffic pattern. If, however, the right turn lane was taken away, it is possible a left turn lane could be installed…there can be one or the other, not both.

When the original traffic study was done many years ago, it was determined that a right turn lane would be more beneficial than a left turn lane and so the right turn lane was installed.

If the residents of Leewood decided they would prefer a left turn lane over the right turn lane the County would proceed and work with the State to determine if, in fact, a left turn lane could be installed. This would include a new traffic study: (measuring traffic volume & patterns, research regarding the number of traffic incidents at that location etc. There is no guarantee that a left turn lane would be approved; only that it would be considered and studied. Additionally, losing the right turn lane onto Leestone would not mean we lose the right turn lane onto Leebrad."

It is now 30 years later and many residents of Leewood feel the need for a left turn lane at Backlick and Leestone Streets far outweighs the need for the right turn lane that already exists.

A “Right Turn” vote means you think the existing right turn lane from Backlick Road onto Leestone Street is necessary and more important to smooth traffic flow and safety than a left turn lane would be. You vote to leave things as they are; keep the right turn lane, and not proceed to try and have a left turn lane installed.

A “Left Turn” vote means you want a left turn lane from Backlick Road onto Leestone Street and feel a left turn lane is necessary and more important to smooth traffic flow and safety than the right turn lane and would have no problem with losing the right turn lane. You vote to change the way things are; get rid of the right turn lane and proceed to try and have a left turn lane installed.

Your LHOA Board wants your opinion about a left turn lane on Backlick Road turning into Backlick & Leestone Streets. Please send an email to Rose Weber, secretary to voice your concerns. She can be reached at secretary@leewood.us.

Here are the Results of Poll: As of 12/09/07

RIGHT TURN = 1
LEFT TURN = 20

Note: There is no guarantee that a left turn lane would be approved; only that it would be considered and studied.