World Photo by Madeline Steege Cars turn at the intersection of Thompson Road and Koosbay Boulevard.

Q: I want to know if there is any chance a left turn lane could be put on Thompson Road, at the intersection of Koosbay Boulevard; traffic backs up very badly there at noon and after 3 p.m.

A: According to Coos Bay Community Services Director Jim Hossley, putting a turn lane onto Thompson Road has never been explored before, but isn't out of the question.

Hossley said that no one at Community Services had been asked to look into putting in additional lanes at the intersection of Thompson Road and Koosbay Boulevard, but with increases in traffic that intersection may need to be reevaluated.

Putting a turn lane in at an intersection depends on the volume of traffic at the intersection at various times during the day. If a backup causes ongoing inconvenience to drivers and could pose traffic hazards, the city will consider putting in a turn lane. Community Services would conduct a traffic study, and if the volume of traffic warranted additional lanes, an engineering study would then analyze the street and see if more lanes could be provided.

According to City Engineer Karen Turner, Thompson Road is about 36-feet wide, and could be changed to three lanes if necessary.

“We'll take a look at it. It may be as simple as re-striping Thompson Road to three lanes at the intersection,” Hossley said.

The city is always willing to consider changes to city streets and intersections if citizens make a request, he added.

“Send a letter to me, or our office here at the city, or an e-mail. It's always good to do these things in writing, which causes us to respond in writing as well, and creates a paper trail in case this issue comes up again in the future,” Hossley said.

Those interested can send letters to the Community Services Department, City of Coos Bay, 500 Central Ave., Coos Bay, OR, 97420; or call 269-8918.